2024/2025 Season trade rumours and speculation thread

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Tie it up if you determine the Andersson trade as the best value for one of the spots.

Don't tie it up if you foresee needing two spots next year, and value to be higher.

It also depends on the team.

If it's Buffalo I'd be shocked if a d-man wasn't coming back.

Samuelsson - recently was healthy scratched for 3 straight games, and has 6 x $4.3M left. If Buffalo want's to move out some money that they're committed to longer term (which has been rumored), then I could see Conroy having some interest as he fits what Conroy has acquired on d (young, big, mobile).

Clifton: hasn't really fit in Buffalo after signing there, has 2 x $3.33M left on the contract.

Jokiharju: Has been okay for Buffalo but is a UFA at season end with 1 x $3.1M left on his deal.

If it's Andersson that Buffalo wants then my guess is one of those 3 guys would be coming back or else they are spending $3M+ on 7 d-men.

Dahlin: $11M
Power: $8.35M
Samuelsson: $4.285M
Byram: $3.85M
Clifton: $3.33M
Jokiharju: $3.1M

Dahlin, Power, and Byram are untouchables...so one of the other 3 would likely be coming the other way to offset cap in any Andersson trade. My guess would be Clifton unless they've really soured on Samuelsson that much, and if you replace Clifton with Andersson that probably becomes one of the deepest d-core's in the NHL.

But if you could convince Buffalo to give you full compensation for Andersson and maybe a little extra for taking on Samuelsson that would be a great move for the Flames.

Something like:

Andersson for Samuelsson + Helenius + Top 16 Protected 2025 1st (Slides to unprotected 2026 1st if Buffalo doesn't make the playoffs)

Would be a coup by Conroy.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Dahlin, Power, and Byram are untouchables...so one of the other 3 would likely be coming the other way to offset cap in any Andersson trade. (My guess would be Clifton unless they've really soured on Samuelsson that much).

As an RD, Clifton also slots into the Flames lineup better. However, if I were the flames, I’d be willing to take on either if it meant better futures coming back.

Still, I really doubt the Andersson would get Helenius and a 1st. More like one or the other, plus a roster player.

For all the speculation around Andersson, I question how much of a need he fills for the Sabres. One a blueline with Dahlin, Power, and Byram, Andersson wouldn’t be getting a sniff of the powerplay.

What the Sabres need is a reliable top-six forward with some pop to his game. Their 1st line is playing well, but the 2nd really needs a stabilizer. Swapping Quinn out for Coleman would be a huge improvement. I doubt Coleman returns a top asset, but something like Ostlund or Rosen would be nice.

[Sofa GM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It also depends on the team.

If it's Buffalo I'd be shocked if a d-man wasn't coming back.

Samuelsson - recently was healthy scratched for 3 straight games, and has 6 x $4.3M left. If Buffalo want's to move out some money that they're committed to longer term (which has been rumored), then I could see Conroy having some interest as he fits what Conroy has acquired on d (young, big, mobile).

Clifton: hasn't really fit in Buffalo after signing there, has 2 x $3.33M left on the contract.

Jokiharju: Has been okay for Buffalo but is a UFA at season end with 1 x $3.1M left on his deal.

If it's Andersson that Buffalo wants then my guess is one of those 3 guys would be coming back or else they are spending $3M+ on 7 d-men.

Dahlin: $11M
Power: $8.35M
Samuelsson: $4.285M
Byram: $3.85M
Clifton: $3.33M
Jokiharju: $3.1M

Dahlin, Power, and Byram are untouchables...so one of the other 3 would likely be coming the other way to offset cap in any Andersson trade. My guess would be Clifton unless they've really soured on Samuelsson that much, and if you replace Clifton with Andersson that probably becomes one of the deepest d-core's in the NHL.

But if you could convince Buffalo to give you full compensation for Andersson and maybe a little extra for taking on Samuelsson that would be a great move for the Flames.

Something like:

Andersson for Samuelsson + Helenius + Top 16 Protected 2025 1st (Slides to unprotected 2026 1st if Buffalo doesn't make the playoffs)

Would be a coup by Conroy.

This would be a nice return

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by sa226

I'm definitely all aboard the tank train, we need promising talent at every position.

What I worry about just a tad is a situation like Buffalo or Montreal, or even multiple versions of Edmonton that maybe warrants some more analysis. You don't want to just throw your young players to the wolves, you want to insulate them with veterans to help them grow. Buffalo and Montreal should be coming out of their rebuilds but theyre floundering.

I don't think Zary would look as great as he does now without that insulation of Kadri, Backlund and Coleman.

Having said all that, I will drive Andersson to the airport if Noodles is right about him being worth a kings ransom.

And it's not just those teams.
If you look in the East only one of the "re-building teams" that has been trying to get back in the playoffs is in there: Ottawa. On the outside looking in are the usual crowd of Detroit, Buffalo, Philly, CBJ and Montreal. No one is taking a step. I'm excluding NJD because they were VERY good a year ago.

In the West Utah, Seattle, Chicago, San Jose, Anaheim all on the outside. More of those teams are still expected to be bad, but Utah and Seattle are wanting to take steps, and I think Anaheim at least wants to show some progress.

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

As an RD, Clifton also slots into the Flames lineup better.

I disagree. There have been games this season where Bahl was the only left-shot D the Flames dressed. Weegar, Andersson, Pachal, Barrie, and Miromanov are all righties.

I'd argue a LD would slot in better. Which works for the Sabres, because their Dcore is quite weak on the right side.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Wonder what market Pachal has well.

[traptor]

The thing about a Rasmus to Buffalo trade is that it has to happen soon for it to make sense to the Sabres.



I dont really see the flames moving Rasmus this soon unless it's extremly obvious that he will not re-sign here, which doesn't seem to be the case yet.

[stemit14]

I think the return for the team trading Andersson this season could be a huge benefit in the long term - especially if they can get someone like Helenius. It could also lead to the flames finishing in the bottom 10 this year - getting a potential future impact player in the draft rather than losing that pick to Montreal. It could also lead to the flames “bottoming out” next season. If there is a year to finish in the bottom 5, it’s next season. I know it’s unlikely for Calgary but it would be wonderful to finally get a franchise center like McKenna in the draft.

If Conroy trades Andersson and possibly Coleman this year/in the offseason and doesn’t sign any vets to replace them, they might be bad enough to be in the mix for McKenna. I know there can be value in signing vets and trading them at the deadline but I don’t think return will be worth enough compared to keeping spots available for young players like Brz, Parekh and Honzek to play significant minutes in the NHL. Plus the potential to have a chance at McKenna. I know the odds of getting McKenna in 2026 are poor no matter what but getting a couple of 3rd and 4th round picks for guys like Kuzmenko, Mantha and Barrie will not be worth it next year IMO.

Here’s the hope (and that’s really all it is is hope so it’s not a real strategy):

Trade Andersson for a top center prospect (like Helenius) + 1st round pick (2025 or 2026)
Trade Coleman for a 2nd round pick/late first round pick (2025 or 2026)
Finish bottom 10 this year (draft an impact top line forward with that pick)
Finish bottom 5 next year (draft a potential franchise forward with that pick)

If the drafted players reach their potential…

Impact top line forward from 2025 draft
Franchise center from 2026 draft
2nd line center (like Helenius) from Andersson trade

Two years from right now, the lineup could be:

Zary - <Franchise center from 2026 draft> - Coronato
Honzek - Helenius - <Impact forward from 2025 draft>
Huberdeau - Backlund - Gridin
Posposil-Kadri-Klapka

By then, you still have plenty of vets on the team in Backlund, Kadri, Huberdeau, Weegar and Sharangovich. Also, guys like Zary, Coronato, Posposil and Klapka could be considered NHL veterans themselves by then. Then there will be other young players that could surprise or at least be pushing for roster spots from the later draft picks (guys like Basha for example).

[dammage79]

If the Flames can land Helenius or Cozens I'd accept less in the rest of the trade. I really want one of those two as a center option on this Flames team long term.

[dissentowner]

I am all in on getting Cozens as I think he has #1 C potential but I am still not sold on Helenius. I still think his upside is a 2nd line C but more likely a perfect 3 C.

[Toonage]

Cozens, Helenius, Zary, Kadri still around I assume the Flames would be pretty strong down the middle in a few years. And who knows who they may draft over the next 2-3 years as well.

Just one of Helenius or Cozens, still applies.

[activeStick]

Hampus Lindholm is going to be out for a bit with a fractured kneecap. Boston is currently treading water to stay in the mix in the east. Do they suddenly look at a guy like Rasmus or do they hope Zadorov can improve his game from what they've seen of him so far this season and step up in a big way and play 1st pairing minutes until Lindholm's return?

https://twitter.com/user/status/1857090539801206933

[Toonage]

As we all saw last year when considering Boston as a trade partner, they have nothing,

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Toonage

As we all saw last year when considering Boston as a trade partner, they have nothing,

Yup, there isn't much I would want for an Andersson trade

[Shazam]

Lindholm and Zadarov for Andersson!

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I think the return for the team trading Andersson this season could be a huge benefit in the long term - especially if they can get someone like Helenius. It could also lead to the flames finishing in the bottom 10 this year - getting a potential future impact player in the draft rather than losing that pick to Montreal. It could also lead to the flames “bottoming out” next season. If there is a year to finish in the bottom 5, it’s next season. I know it’s unlikely for Calgary but it would be wonderful to finally get a franchise center like McKenna in the draft.

If Conroy trades Andersson and possibly Coleman this year/in the offseason and doesn’t sign any vets to replace them, they might be bad enough to be in the mix for McKenna. I know there can be value in signing vets and trading them at the deadline but I don’t think return will be worth enough compared to keeping spots available for young players like Brz, Parekh and Honzek to play significant minutes in the NHL. Plus the potential to have a chance at McKenna. I know the odds of getting McKenna in 2026 are poor no matter what but getting a couple of 3rd and 4th round picks for guys like Kuzmenko, Mantha and Barrie will not be worth it next year IMO.

Here’s the hope (and that’s really all it is is hope so it’s not a real strategy):

Trade Andersson for a top center prospect (like Helenius) + 1st round pick (2025 or 2026)
Trade Coleman for a 2nd round pick/late first round pick (2025 or 2026)
Finish bottom 10 this year (draft an impact top line forward with that pick)
Finish bottom 5 next year (draft a potential franchise forward with that pick)

If the drafted players reach their potential…

Impact top line forward from 2025 draft
Franchise center from 2026 draft
2nd line center (like Helenius) from Andersson trade

Two years from right now, the lineup could be:

Zary - <Franchise center from 2026 draft> - Coronato
Honzek - Helenius - <Impact forward from 2025 draft>
Huberdeau - Backlund - Gridin
Posposil-Kadri-Klapka

By then, you still have plenty of vets on the team in Backlund, Kadri, Huberdeau, Weegar and Sharangovich. Also, guys like Zary, Coronato, Posposil and Klapka could be considered NHL veterans themselves by then. Then there will be other young players that could surprise or at least be pushing for roster spots from the later draft picks (guys like Basha for example).

You are expecting a lot from recently drafted players.

Fantilli, Carlsson and Smith from the 2023 draft year are still finding their way, and they were considered great 2-4 picks. You are expecting a top 10 pick from 2025 likely a late top 10 pick at best) to be an impact forward playing on the first line in 2026.

He’s more likely to still be in the AHL that playing meaningful minutes in the NHL, absent a lot of luck.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Lindholm and Zadarov for Andersson!

Sin bin worthy!

[Roof-Daddy]

I'd take Letourneau and their unprotected 2026 1st for Rasmus

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dammage79

If the Flames can land Helenius or Cozens I'd accept less in the rest of the trade. I really want one of those two as a center option on this Flames team long term.

7.1M for the next 7 years no thank you. He is not tracking well, just because he is a C and RHS does not mean he can just rebound.

I stated my case, he could be the next Dion. If he was on a cheap deal, or a RFA sure but we can't add another underperforming boat anchor to the team that has Huberdeau and Kadri signed long term.

Guy was a ghost when we played them on Saturday.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Looking at that draft, my goodness, what has happened to Trevor Zegras. 1 goal this year. 3 points. Yikes.