2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by blankall

So the Flames just need to suck some more for longer and then they can trade Kadri? But the Flames need to move Kadri to truly suck....

It also depends on that just Edward’s opinion or Conroy’s mandate.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by united

Brian Burke, on The Sheet:

“I don't think Kadri is going anywhere based on a couple things. One, who's going to play (centre) if they trade him? Who are they going to play with (at centre)?

(The Flames) are still mathematically not eliminated, not even close to it. So, to me, I mean, they're out of the playoffs right now, but win four games, they're right back in it. That's the nature of the playoffs in both conferences this year. It's been that you can get right back in it. Look at Buffalo. You're right back in with a little run.

So, to me, I don't think they'll trade (Kadri). Murray Edwards has said as much to me. When I was in for Naz’s game (in Calgary), his 1,000th game, Murray said that to me. He didn't say we're not ever going to trade him, but he said, we have no intention of moving him at this time.

Now, ‘at this time’ are the key words. It doesn't mean they're bound by that. But I don't think they're looking to move Kadri at all."

I think Burke's just going off of vibes, not an actual analysis. And Naz' 1000th game was quite a while ago and things have changed.

[Matty81]

I understand that they need centers, but I think Burke's argument goes out the window if the team acquiring Kadri includes a younger center the flames like. Or if the offer is great for him, can you flip a pick you acquire for a younger center to take the minutes. It seems overly simplistic to say that you can't move him because today there is no one on hand to take his minutes.

And any comments about the flames making the playoffs, I mean I know there's always a chance, but when someone says that the credibility you give to the rest of what they say goes way way down. They are tied for 3rd last in the league, 3-7-1 in their last stretch and would need to beat out 6 competing teams down the stretch, and have just traded their best player. Come on... if the flames mgmt are still holding off on deals because of playoffs they shouldn't be in their jobs and I don't believe it for a second.

[Braden]

If there multi team NTC weren't a thing I could see something around Kadri for Hartman + 27 1st + Stramel. Get a center to slot in now, a C prospect with upside not far out, and a 1st

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by united

Brian Burke, on The Sheet:

“I don't think Kadri is going anywhere based on a couple things. One, who's going to play (centre) if they trade him? Who are they going to play with (at centre)?

(The Flames) are still mathematically not eliminated, not even close to it. So, to me, I mean, they're out of the playoffs right now, but win four games, they're right back in it. That's the nature of the playoffs in both conferences this year. It's been that you can get right back in it. Look at Buffalo. You're right back in with a little run.

So, to me, I don't think they'll trade (Kadri). Murray Edwards has said as much to me. When I was in for Naz’s game (in Calgary), his 1,000th game, Murray said that to me. He didn't say we're not ever going to trade him, but he said, we have no intention of moving him at this time.

Now, ‘at this time’ are the key words. It doesn't mean they're bound by that. But I don't think they're looking to move Kadri at all."

Wait a minute. Edwards doesn’t get involved in the business I was told?

He approves the purchase of pens or popsicle sticks at CNQ but we are led to believe his billion dollar pro hockey enterprise is left at full arms length. It’s all always made sense that he didn’t interfere I thought?

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Wait a minute. Edwards doesn’t get involved in the business I was told?

He approves the purchase of pens or popsicle sticks at CNQ but we are led to believe his billion dollar pro hockey enterprise is left at full arms length. It’s all always made sense that he didn’t interfere I thought?

This is one of those times where instead of taking Burke at his word we'll say he's helping Murray out because of course he won't come out and say Kadri's going to get moved. It's all subterfuge

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by traptor

Lomberg has more value to the team then he's worth in a trade, especially when it's the slog of a tank year.

Guy brings energy and keeps things light. That's worth more then a 5th round pick.

I have always maintained that, but I think it's run its course - his influence in the room should have been received and absorbed by now.

Also, I think he is worth a 3rd, not a 5th - but I wouldn't trade him for a 5th either, at that price I agree, might as well keep him

[FanSince'01]

Yeah agreed that Burke is just going off of vibes but right now I'll trust what's being put out there by CP insiders and Dreger and other insiders. Definitely smoke that seems like Naz is moving before the deadline if Conny gets the value he's looking for.

Also, regarding the centre ice situation without Kadri, we'll still have Frost, Zary, Backlund, Kirkland, Pospisil, and others like Morton and Kerins on the farm who can play centre.

The centre ice depth looks significantly uglier without Kadri, but it's not like we're lacking players who can play that position. And obviously losing Kadri helps our pick this year, which should be the ultimate goal anyways.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by blankall

So the Flames just need to suck some more for longer and then they can trade Kadri? But the Flames need to move Kadri to truly suck....

Conroy has also consistently stated that he wasn't moving a player for the sake of it, only to move a player once a good offer came along.

This team is near the bottom of the league in spending. They aren't trying to compete, no matter what anyone in management/ownership says.

(Psst. Brian Burke is in neither management nor ownership of the Calgary Flames.)

[Jiri Hrdina]

I think the value part is the key. I don't think the Flames have any interest in dumping him for nothing. And then I think if they need to use retention, the value will have to be greater.
I bet there are a ton of teams that would be interested in bringing him in for a very low acquisition cost.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Wait a minute. Edwards doesn’t get involved in the business I was told?

He approves the purchase of pens or popsicle sticks at CNQ but we are led to believe his billion dollar pro hockey enterprise is left at full arms length. It’s all always made sense that he didn’t interfere I thought?

There is a big difference between 'getting involved', and making some comments to a colleague about what the team is planning/considering, during a discussion. He isn't going to stand there with BB, who used to work for him, and say "no comment Brian, I don't get involved in these things".

To Burke's comments regarding ME, even if we take them at face value, a LOT has changed since then.

[Enoch Root]

I think there has been more than enough smoke recently, to suggest that moving Kadri is something they would consider (even if they weren't prepared to consider it in early November).

But I think they would be reticent to do so, if there are no other Cs acquired. Right now, moving Kadri means our C depth is: Backlund, Frost, Kirkland, and either Zary, Pospisil, Morton or Kerins. That is all kinds of ugly. However, if they got a young C in return, on one of the trades (Poitras, Wright, Bourque, or <insertyourdesiredChere>), I think that would make it a lot easier for them to move him.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Are there any actual rumors about Wright or is this is pure speculation? And if so, what's fueling that?

Only from Pagnotta right now, from what I’ve seen:

https://www.thefourthperiod.com/jan-...ook-to-upgrade

During Wednesday’s edition of the “DFO Rundown Insider Edition,” David Pagnotta reported that the Kraken are open to the possibility of trading young forward Shane Wright, potentially in a package, for what they are looking for.

“The Seattle Kraken are open to moving Shane Wright,” Pagnotta stated. “I think with what they’ve been looking for previously – a legitimate top-six offensive threat; ideally somebody capable of playing in the top line – the sense that I’m getting is a willingness to move and package up Shane Wright in order to get that.”

“I don’t get the sense that Shane Wright is overly thrilled with his usage lately,” Pagnotta said. “You know, I think his last game he played under ten minutes, and he wants to have more responsibility. He wants to have more ice time. He has to earn that, as well – can’t just be handed it to him – but there’s a little bit of disappointment there with respect to his usage from his side of things, which is understandable.”

[dino7c]

Yeah those Burke comments are irrelevant to the current situation

Back in his day the Flames wouldn't have 8+ firsts over 4 draft and near league high cap space either. Things change.

Flames won't give away Kadri though, a first + would get it done

[Toonage]

^^ Its an odd thing to be looking for, someone to play on the top line when they have such a fluid top 6 considering several of them are about to either be traded or their contracts expire at the end of the year.

[united]

The only other time I recall Burke mentioning Edwards, aside from the "Murray has a private jet and works harder than hard workers" stuff a couple weeks back was again on The Sheet briefly discussing Tkachuk's rookie season.

Marek
When you draft kids, whether it was in the 80s like (former Maple Leafs' GM, Gerry) McNamara or, you know, when you ran teams, how sensitive are you around not showing the horse too soon?

Burke
Well, the issue is if you're wrong on how quickly you bring a kid along, you can ruin him. It's not a case of just setting him back. You can actually destroy his career. You can ruin his career to bring him in too quickly. So, we look at the preseason schedule, try and handpick games, handpick lineups to give the player the best chance, the best look, the best people to play with, enough toughness around him. We try and tailor the results so it would make the player look as good as possible. But, I always sent them back. I sent all my guys back. I sent Bobby Ryan back. I sent Kadri back - Kadri went to the American League because of that four-year rule. But, in general, I believe these guys needed more time, so I sent them all back.

But I remember when Matthew Tkachuk came in Calgary. Matt Stajan was talking to (Tkachuk) - and Stajan's a great kid - (Stajan) said to (Tkachuk), he said, "Matthew, you should probably stick with the team but knowing Burkey he'll send you back." I always sent those guys back. Unless they clearly made it.

(With) Matthew Tkachuk, we had already decided to send him back when (Treliving) came to me (to reconsider) - but we'd already told to Ken King about sending Tkachuk back, the late great Ken King - so I called Ken and said "we want a second chance. We want to talk about (keeping Tkachuk up)." And Ken King had a horrible temper. He said "I've already talked to (Edwards) about it. That ship has sailed." I said "no, it hasn't. I want you to talk to (Treliving) and me about it one more time." I was at a grand opening of a Moxie's restaurant in Calgary but we went and did the call together and Ken, God bless him, Ken said "Okay, I'll tell (Edwards) that we're keeping Tkachuk.”

Marek
I always wondered, was the plan - and we all know how things ended up - but was the plan for Matthew Tkachuk? I know the early years were kind of awkward with suspensions and behavior, etc., but was the plan always that eventually he was going to be the captain of the Calgary Flames? Was that the plan for Matthew Tkachuk?

Burke
Matthew Tkachuk was a bit of an anomaly for us because he was so mature off the ice. You talk to Matthew Tkachuk in his draft year, interview him for the draft, talk to him in his rookie year. You thought you were talking to a 30-year-old. You asked him questions about hockey and he had a great answer for everything. He was thoughtful.

But, we was pretty immature as a player on the ice. So, there was a little balance there. We had to kind of keep him in check, but also bring him along. But, I don't think we ever discussed that early on that he would be the captain. But, certainly it was in the in the cards someday.”

[blankall]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

(Psst. Brian Burke is in neither management nor ownership of the Calgary Flames.)

Burke quoted Edwards.

[Muta]

Flames should be all over inquiring about Wright - if he is indeed available.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Bingo

You want examples of players not signing in cities? Every player signed made a choice, and they're sure not going to come out and say "Calgary was there, but they're ###### bags so I took a pass"

Where you will see it is on the NTC frequency charts in those player interviews.

Treating players well matters. How much is up for debate for sure, but it's not zero.

You can tell when players talk about asking other players about the situation before a trade etc.

So based on this, Winnipegs management are ######bags and Vegas treats their guys like gold? Do you have those lists handy? I’m interested in reading them

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Muta

Flames should be all over inquiring about Wright - if he is indeed available.

I don't feel like we have the player described, though. It sounds like they want a Boeser type as the target. Maybe there is a three way opportunity for us to try to take here, but I am not sure.