2024/2025 Season trade rumours and speculation thread

[Sandman]

If we’re re-signing Andersson, keeping Kadri, Coleman and Weegar, plus re-signing Rantanen in the summer- all we need to do is somehow trade for a young C. Rebuild done, lol.

We already have enough young D coming up, but we have to stock the cupboards by drafting centers.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Signing a top tier free agent and keeping your picks is fine with me.

It’s when you start tossing picks for mediocre players that you lose me.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Signing a top tier free agent and keeping your picks is fine with me.

It’s when you start tossing picks for mediocre players that you lose me.

Yep.

Or signing mediocre players to big UFA deals.

Rantanen is certainly not mediocre

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Many teams will be after Rantanen. If he makes it to UFA, HE’ll be one of the better players ever getting to UFA.

He’ll come here, he knows Makar is on the way in a couple years.

[My2Cents]

Cant say I love this, still in team rebuid. But seeing as that isnt happening agreed we can spend some cap on top line players, just dont give away picks or go after mediocre players. Then draft and develop.

Still concerned this is going to put us in the mushy middle for the next while.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

He’ll come here, he knows Makar is on the way in a couple years.

Plus his good friend Kadri.

[traptor]

Rantenan was the 3rd best player in the avs behind MacK and Makar.
Can he drive offense at an elite level by himself? Or will he turn into another Huberdeau? it would probably cost us 14x7. You would have to be sure he can be an elite offensive driver by himself.

We'd also be signing him from 29-36, so his down years will be our biggest window.

[Bonded]

I think there is zero reason to worry about Rantanen signing in Calgary.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I think there is zero reason to worry about Rantanen signing in Calgary.

I can’t see it either.

[1qqaaz]

I think pursuing Makar is not only more exciting, but more realistic. Also, I believe that top pairing defensemen are generally more impactful than are wingers.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by traptor

Rantenan was the 3rd best player in the avs behind MacK and Makar.
Can he drive offense at an elite level by himself? Or will he turn into another Huberdeau? it would probably cost us 14x7. You would have to be sure he can be an elite offensive driver by himself.

We'd also be signing him from 29-36, so his down years will be our biggest window.

He’s going to have 30-50 games with Carolina before hitting free agency (if he hits free agency). More than enough time to see if his play was only because of Colorado’s other guys.

If the cap actually goes up by the projected amount over the next three years - and these stupid tariffs are likely to impact that — this is the time where signing high end free agents makes a lot of sense. Although we’ve been complaining about Calgary’s timing with cap space, their rebuild timing might be perfect.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by traptor

Rantenan was the 3rd best player in the avs behind MacK and Makar.
Can he drive offense at an elite level by himself? Or will he turn into another Huberdeau? it would probably cost us 14x7. You would have to be sure he can be an elite offensive driver by himself.

We'd also be signing him from 29-36, so his down years will be our biggest window.

Yeah, there are two points of discussion:

1) Should they try and sign a big-name UFA?
2) If so, should it be Rantanen?

For me, no way would I pay what it would take for Rantanen. It would be north of $12.5M (or else COL or CAR would sign him), so that would mean $24M+ on two, older wingers. Suicide.

Should they sign someone? I think the only thing that makes sense is a C. With all the wingers they have in the prospect pool, I can't see there being enough of an upgrade signing a UFA. Stick to the plan, let the kids develop. If you can score the right C, fine. Otherwise, no.

[Nelson]

I really don’t like the idea of the Flames’ shopping in the UFA market, except for a defenceman, if the Flames trade Andersson; my position is the draft and really smart trades like Thursday’s trade, are the ways to build the team. I have three reasons. First, I don’t see the players, whom the Flames need, in the UFA market. I looked for an UFA centre, and I didn’t find anyone interesting. I also don’t think the Flames should spend the amount necessary to bring in a high-profile UFA winger, because the wing position is fillable with what the Flames already have. I did see three defencemen that might be helpful: Ekblad (28), Pettersson (28), and Chychrun (26). But I can see that list getting smaller through re-signings, and I would only look to sign a UFA defenceman, if Andersson doesn’t re-sign, which appears unlikely right now based on Ryan Leslie’s reporting. (Unless Andersson is traded, I think the Flames should leave the open spot for a youngster.) Second, a big thing for me is that if Andersson re-signs, the Flames will have many players signed to big tickets, well into their 30s: Kadri, Huberdeau, Weegar, and Andersson. I think that’s gotta be the Flames’ limit on those types of contracts. Otherwise, the Flames will have too much of their cap and more importantly, given the increases in the salary cap, roster spots tied to depreciating assets. Finally, I imagine the Flames have improved as a destination with the new regime and apparent locker room atmosphere. However, I suspect the Flames will have a lot of competition from more- desirable-for-really-rich-people markets, given the increase in the salary cap. This likely means the Flames would have to over-pay in the UFA market.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yeah, there are two points of discussion:

1) Should they try and sign a big-name UFA?
2) If so, should it be Rantanen?

For me, no way would I pay what it would take for Rantanen. It would be north of $12.5M (or else COL or CAR would sign him), so that would mean $24M+ on two, older wingers. Suicide.

Should they sign someone? I think the only thing that makes sense is a C. With all the wingers they have in the prospect pool, I can't see there being enough of an upgrade signing a UFA. Stick to the plan, let the kids develop. If you can score the right C, fine. Otherwise, no.

MR has a 53% faceoff percentage this year and seems effective at C. I would rather not go that route though due to what it would cost cap wise and he is a LS. We need a RS that can play C.

[CliffFletcher]

Here’s a list of of the top 25 pending UFAs:

https://thehockeywriters.com/2025-nhl-free-agents/

No young C to be seen (Trent Frederick doesn’t make the cut-off for this list). Most of the UFAs are in their 30s. Many of the better ones will wind up signing with their current team. Tough to see a good fit for the Flames.

[Nelson]

The free agent signings, which I want to see this summer, are Dustin Wolf, Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Kevin Bahl.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Nelson

The free agent signings, which I want to see this summer, are Dustin Wolf, Matt Coronato, Connor Zary and Kevin Bahl.

You don't want them to retain Frost?

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You don't want them to retain Frost?

Whoops, my mistake. Thanks for pointing it out. Yes, I would like them to retain Frost. My point was to focus on locking up the RFAs.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Here’s a list of of the top 25 pending UFAs:

https://thehockeywriters.com/2025-nhl-free-agents/

No young C to be seen (Trent Frederick doesn’t make the cut-off for this list). Most of the UFAs are in their 30s. Many of the better ones will wind up signing with their current team. Tough to see a good fit for the Flames.

Did I miss a Sam Bennett extension?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Did I miss a Sam Bennett extension?

I guess he's not in that writer's top 25. He has hit a brick wall this year after his hot start. 8 points since Dec. 1.