2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[stemit14]

Was brought up in the practice notes chat but it is more of a discussion for the trade/signing side of the forum…

Is there any value in targeting more physicality/fighters for the flames going into next season? Guys like Lomberg but bigger so they can act like a bit of a deterrent in the lineup. I know it’s less of an aspect on most winning teams but this is likely not going to be a winning team next year. Might not be a bad idea to have another player that will turn a game upside down if an opponent targets one of the young skilled players on the team. Ideally you’d want a player that can come in and out of the lineup. Who fits that mold that the flames could target?

My first thought is Matt Rempe. Calgary born. 24 years old. 6’9” fighter who frequently brings a lot of chaos to games. He’s also a rightshot center which fits an organizational need. Has a reputation as a dirty hitter though. Big issue would be acquisition on cost… I assume the Rangers have little motivation to trade him. They are at the start of their rebuild too and they likely want to keep him around for the same reason Calgary could want him. Plus he did become a fan favourite when he entered the league 2 years ago - though I’m not sure how NY fans feel about him at this point. He did get criticized for constantly going over the line.

How would everyone feel if the flames traded their 3rd round pick to acquire him? I have no idea how valued he is in the league or, more importantly to the Rangers. That might not be enough for them.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by This post is terrible

Make it so

[metroneck]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Was brought up in the practice notes chat but it is more of a discussion for the trade/signing side of the forum…

Is there any value in targeting more physicality/fighters for the flames going into next season? Guys like Lomberg but bigger so they can act like a bit of a deterrent in the lineup. I know it’s less of an aspect on most winning teams but this is likely not going to be a winning team next year. Might not be a bad idea to have another player that will turn a game upside down if an opponent targets one of the young skilled players on the team. Ideally you’d want a player that can come in and out of the lineup. Who fits that mold that the flames could target?

My first thought is Matt Rempe. Calgary born. 24 years old. 6’9” fighter who frequently brings a lot of chaos to games. He’s also a rightshot center which fits an organizational need. Has a reputation as a dirty hitter though. Big issue would be acquisition on cost… I assume the Rangers have little motivation to trade him. They are at the start of their rebuild too and they likely want to keep him around for the same reason Calgary could want him. Plus he did become a fan favourite when he entered the league 2 years ago - though I’m not sure how NY fans feel about him at this point. He did get criticized for constantly going over the line.

How would everyone feel if the flames traded their 3rd round pick to acquire him? I have no idea how valued he is in the league or, more importantly to the Rangers. That might not be enough for them.

While I am a total anti-fighting hypocrite (should be out of the game for safety reasons, but will watch if one starts…), I like this line of thinking.

Fighters are usually high character guys and great in the room too.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by stemit14

was brought up in the practice notes chat but it is more of a discussion for the trade/signing side of the forum…

is there any value in targeting more physicality/fighters for the flames going into next season? Guys like lomberg but bigger so they can act like a bit of a deterrent in the lineup. I know it’s less of an aspect on most winning teams but this is likely not going to be a winning team next year. Might not be a bad idea to have another player that will turn a game upside down if an opponent targets one of the young skilled players on the team. Ideally you’d want a player that can come in and out of the lineup. Who fits that mold that the flames could target?

My first thought is matt rempe. Calgary born. 24 years old. 6’9” fighter who frequently brings a lot of chaos to games. He’s also a rightshot center which fits an organizational need. Has a reputation as a dirty hitter though. Big issue would be acquisition on cost… i assume the rangers have little motivation to trade him. They are at the start of their rebuild too and they likely want to keep him around for the same reason calgary could want him. Plus he did become a fan favourite when he entered the league 2 years ago - though i’m not sure how ny fans feel about him at this point. He did get criticized for constantly going over the line.

How would everyone feel if the flames traded their 3rd round pick to acquire him? I have no idea how valued he is in the league or, more importantly to the rangers. That might not be enough for them.

yuck!

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Was brought up in the practice notes chat but it is more of a discussion for the trade/signing side of the forum…

Is there any value in targeting more physicality/fighters for the flames going into next season? Guys like Lomberg but bigger so they can act like a bit of a deterrent in the lineup. I know it’s less of an aspect on most winning teams but this is likely not going to be a winning team next year. Might not be a bad idea to have another player that will turn a game upside down if an opponent targets one of the young skilled players on the team. Ideally you’d want a player that can come in and out of the lineup. Who fits that mold that the flames could target?

My first thought is Matt Rempe. Calgary born. 24 years old. 6’9” fighter who frequently brings a lot of chaos to games. He’s also a rightshot center which fits an organizational need. Has a reputation as a dirty hitter though. Big issue would be acquisition on cost… I assume the Rangers have little motivation to trade him. They are at the start of their rebuild too and they likely want to keep him around for the same reason Calgary could want him. Plus he did become a fan favourite when he entered the league 2 years ago - though I’m not sure how NY fans feel about him at this point. He did get criticized for constantly going over the line.

How would everyone feel if the flames traded their 3rd round pick to acquire him? I have no idea how valued he is in the league or, more importantly to the Rangers. That might not be enough for them.

Could be our Brandon Bollig.

[iloveicedhockey]

I want nothing to do with Rempe. I get the sentiment of having some toughness but Rempe is unnecessarily dirty, not good enough at hockey to not be a burden on the team when he's on the ice, and while tough, is a brain injury waiting to happen (if not from punches then from hitting his head on the ice). He doesn't really instill fear into opponents like Lucic or Grats, everything seems to be a bit of a circus.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by iloveicedhockey

I want nothing to do with Rempe. I get the sentiment of having some toughness but Rempe is unnecessarily dirty, not good enough at hockey to not be a burden on the team when he's on the ice, and while tough, is a brain injury waiting to happen (if not from punches then from hitting his head on the ice). He doesn't really instill fear into opponents like Lucic or Grats, everything seems to be a bit of a circus.

All this is true. It is still necessary for the Flames to acquire Rempe, just so someone in the room can call Klapka ‘Shorty’.

[TheScorpion]

I do think the Flames could stand to be players in free agency, but I'd rather see them get guys who can play and fight. I wouldn't mind seeing them go after a guy like Beck Malenstyn for a year or two.

Ideally you want guys who you can flip. I also like Alex Kerfoot as a target.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I do think the Flames could stand to be players in free agency, but I'd rather see them get guys who can play and fight. I wouldn't mind seeing them go after a guy like Beck Malenstyn for a year or two.

Ideally you want guys who you can flip. I also like Alex Kerfoot as a target.

Beck Malenstyn is a good option. Physical and a leadership presence at 28 years old.

[RedHawk12]

No problem signing one or two of these kinds of players in free agency. No to trading assets like picks for them.

[FLAMESRULE]

Rempe is God awful and I'm pretty sure my dog has a higher IQ...he's dumb like rock. Stay the F away from him. Gross.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Rempe is God awful and I'm pretty sure my dog has a higher IQ...he's dumb like rock. Stay the F away from him. Gross.

Are you sure he's dumb? That seems excessive.

[united]

Jeff "(not) Proper" Malott is someone the Flames will have interest in, should he make it to UFA in a few months' time.

[Bert]

What about the Alphabet soup from Montreal.

Would fit if we moved out Weegar or Whitecloud, rumored to be on the block, and could be an add on in a Kadri deal if he goes to Montreal.

[Sandman]

Jeremy Tingly of nhltraderumors says that three teams are in the mix for Kadri, and are preparing their final offers: Detroit, Minny, and Seattle.

[Sandman]

In terms of tough guys, Mathieu Olivier is one of top-two toughest players in the league, and he can actually play the game. He would be a good get, but might cost more than Conny would be comfortable paying.

Toughest guy in the league is Nick Deslauriers in Philly, but I think he’s out of action.

Ross Johnson looks pretty good since he’s been in Anaheim.

[Burning Beard]

I keep repeating if they aren't good at least be mean.

[Matty81]

Ive been a big proponent of adding more toughness for the 4th line as a deterrent to guys like foligno taking runs at parekh. Klapka isn't really a pure fighter and we could use another guy who can fight the real heavyweights around the league.

But I dont think you need to give up a pick to get a guy like that. This summer in free agency i think Curtis Douglas would be a good pickup if Tampa let him walk as he is a UFA. He's shown he can play a bit in the A too.

I think helenius from the kings would be a nice addition to any deal if we trade with them too, he can actually play center as well. A Douglas-Helenius-Klapka energy line next year would be worth the price of a ticket alone.

The flames will add someone this summer for sure, sounds like they wanted Jeannot last year and recognize the need for another guy who can handle that part of the game for a younger team

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

I keep repeating if they aren't good at least be mean.

Yep. I don’t understand the push back on Rempe. He’ll throw down with anyone in the league and he’s a hometown guy. Everyone wants us to suck, he kinda sucks, so who cares? Protect our young guys.

Im all for it. Depends on the asking price, of course

[Calgary Highlander]

Rempe has one fight this year. For his sake, I’m glad as he was taking some big blows early on.

Think I’d rather unretire Brian McGrattan. He’s only 45, I bet he can still throw ‘em!