2024/2025 Season trade rumours and speculation thread

[Calgary4LIfe]

Too many forwards - full stop.

Huberdeau - Kadri - Coronato
Farabee - Frost - Sharangovich
Zary - Backlund - Coleman
Lombardi - Morton/King - Pospisil

I see the 4th line center spot as a battle between Morton and King this year, with perhaps Kirkland being re-signed and being part of that battle. Rooney is popular with the group, so I won't be shocked if he is back, but I do think he will be moving on.

Klapka earned a spot this year I would say, so you probably want to open up a roster spot for him at least.

Then you have:
Honzek, Stromgren, Kerins and perhaps Gridin (which Huska stated at last training camp expects to be pushing for a spot). I am not saying you have to open up a spot for one of these on top of the 4th line spot being opened up, as well as a spot for Klapka. However, there is a strong likelihood that one of these 4 will make the team.



Defence is a bit more simple.
Weegar - X
Bahl - Parekh
Bean - Pachal

Unless Conroy signs a defencemen to play with Weegar, I think the pairing will end up being:
Bean - Weegar

That leaves the 6th and 7th spots open for one of:
Solovyov, Poirier, Kuznetsov, Brzustevicz, and an outside shot at Morin and Gushnikov. I don't think Jurmo makes the NHL. Solovyov, Poirier and Kuznetsov all require waivers this year, so I would think that 2/3 make it. Solovyov has looked decent at the NHL level. Kuznetsov hasn't seen much NHL action, but has looked good at the AHL level. Poirier has not seen any time at the NHL level yet.

Does Conroy bring in an experienced defencemen off the UFA heap? Does he bring back Hanley? Having Parekh play on the 2nd pairing to start is a big ask for him already. I don't think you can play Brzustevicz with Weegar - 2 raw rookies in your top 4? Not a chance. Maybe halfway through the season depending on injuries and how players are showing, but that's a big ask for two rookies. That spot is either Bean's to lose, or there will be a signing/trade (maybe as a return for one of the forwards above.

Yeah, Conroy is going to be busy. I think he has to make room for Klapka at least. With the defence, I have no idea how he views the young guys and if he wants to bring in another vet or not. Will be interesting to see what he decides. There is roster turnover every single year, and this year there are simply too many bodies.


Edit: I assume Rasmus is traded.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Royle9

None taken
Its grim, but we all knew that.

The lack of superstar power on our end is absolutely detrimental to our success.
This is why I have a hard time criticizing the "tank for ___" crowd.

You simply don't have superstars fall into your lap outside of drafting in the top 3 very often. Especially when your in a less desirable market, though the new rink coming will surely help us a bit.

Flames need home run picks, we REALLY need to to try our absolute best to get a McKenna or DuPont or both and given how terrible of a roster we have, we simply cant afford to dabble in mediocrity for another decade.

Here's to holding on to hope.

Just to add to this...what really disheartens me is how many people in Calgary are openly cheering for the Oilers in the playoffs. I feel like I’m in the minority when I say I just can’t do it. The response (everywhere it seems) is: “Yeah, but it’s a Canadian team!”

Somewhere along the line, a whole generation of Flames fans forgot what it means to be proud of their team...and to feel sick at the thought of supporting your provincial rival.

Edmonton’s star power — earned or not — is slowly bleeding into our fanbase. It might not show in attendance numbers yet, but you can feel the shift. Apathy is creeping in, and it’s dangerous.

This franchise desperately needs elite talent (on the ice and to elevate its brand) to give Flames fans something to believe in again.

[Incogneto]

I know he isn't a center, but I would throw a boatload of cash at Knies. I love the way that kid plays.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Just to add to this...what really disheartens me is how many people in Calgary are openly cheering for the Oilers in the playoffs. I feel like I’m in the minority when I say I just can’t do it. The response (everywhere it seems) is: “Yeah, but it’s a Canadian team!”

Somewhere along the line, a whole generation of Flames fans forgot what it means to be proud of their team...and to feel sick at the thought of supporting your provincial rival.

Edmonton’s star power — earned or not — is slowly bleeding into our fanbase. It might not show in attendance numbers yet, but you can feel the shift. Apathy is creeping in, and it’s dangerous.

This franchise desperately needs elite talent (on the ice and to elevate its brand) to give Flames fans something to believe in again.

I am very, very fortunate to have a contrarian son who actually loves cheering for the opposite team from his friends. But my daughter is succumbing to oiler fandom with ease. We are losing the overall war pretty heavily, and the way they are trying to build the team is not something that resonates with young fans. We need marketable superstars. Parekh may be one, but we need more Parekhs.


We desperately need the forward talent. But part of me also wonders if we could shake one of Byram or Power out of Buffalo. There were rumors last year that either could potentially be had. I would be tempted to throw a lot at Buffalo for Power too. Then our back end would really be on solid ground.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Just to add to this...what really disheartens me is how many people in Calgary are openly cheering for the Oilers in the playoffs. I feel like I’m in the minority when I say I just can’t do it. The response (everywhere it seems) is: “Yeah, but it’s a Canadian team!”

Somewhere along the line, a whole generation of Flames fans forgot what it means to be proud of their team...and to feel sick at the thought of supporting your provincial rival.

I had to sit down my 6 year old this morning and explain to him that if I ever hear him cheering for Connor McDavid again, he'll need to move out with this mother
I blame Grandma though, he said she told him if Calgary is out its better if we cheer for the Canadian teams, I told him never Edmonton.

[Monahammer]

If you must, you may cheer for the leafs. At least they haven't won anything in living memory. Yes, their fans will be relatively intolerable should that fate come to pass, but they are much further away from us.

[stemit14]

I think continuing to develop Zary at center could be a great fit for the team next year and into the future. Would love to see this to start next season:

Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Posposil-Zary-Coronato
Farabee-Frost-Sharangovich
Kirkland/Lomberg-Backlund-Coleman

Parekh-Weegar
Bahl-Brzustewicz
Pachal-Hanley/Soloviov

Wolf
Vladar

Frost can start to take on more of the shutdown center role. Backlund and Coleman as the core of the 4th line would make the 4th line a strength next season rather than a weakness. Backlund and Coleman would still play a significant role on penalty kills and potentially on the 2nd unit powerplays.

Zary, Coronato and Posposil can split duties on face offs. Before his first injury last season, Zary - while playing center - was leading the team in scoring chances generated off the rush when he was the primary puck carrier into the offensive zone. I really think the flames should give him a chance to keep developing in that spot. He looked good in that role and it helps with placement of other players in the line up - including giving Klapka a spot to succeed.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Semantics. Post assumes the players have earned the spots, but there is no room.

No one is saying make room for lazy bums that haven't earned it.

If they have earned it, they will have a spot. I doubt the Flames are going to ice a weaker team, based on seniority.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

They aren’t that simple in reality. If Honzek outplays Farabee, are coaches going to have the latter watch 50 games from the press box? Salaries, tenure, and egos play a big part in who dresses.

If you want to see how a strict game-by-game meritocracy works, look at a team coached by Tortorella. It can get a lot of juice out of the lineup in the short term, but ends up alienating both players and management.

Come on, don't post about nuance and then show none.

Honzek's job isn't a one-to-one relationship with Farabee. Honzek earning a spot is on Honzek alone, and if he does, he'll get one. That will allow/force the team to make changes. Someone gets moved out or bumped down, doesn't have to be Farabee.

It's a 23-man roster, not a 20-man roster, for a reason - there are injuries, there is inconsistency with performance. Lineups change almost nightly.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Incogneto

I know he isn't a center, but I would throw a boatload of cash at Knies. I love the way that kid plays.

Modern day poor mans power forward, in a positive way, but he’s not star calibre. We need that first line star. Knies is a nice addition but not THE man to carry the team.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I had to sit down my 6 year old this morning and explain to him that if I ever hear him cheering for Connor McDavid again, he'll need to move out with this mother
I blame Grandma though, he said she told him if Calgary is out its better if we cheer for the Canadian teams, I told him never Edmonton.

Stay strong in these tough times Royle!

[Fighting Banana Slug]

It's hard seeing coiler jerseys and flags in the city. My son, bless his heart, was in near tears when he heard the score from last night. I know that I am responsible for his Flames love and coiler hate.

I did need to put it in perspective for him. It isn't life and death. Watching less hockey and getting outside isn't so bad at all. We can cheer for our team (and those competing against you-know-who) and then move on when it is all done.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by blankall

It's a good thing the Flames already have an entire first line of 50-70 points already, and Rossi had 60 points last season.

I also think if Parekh works out, we'll see a boost in all the top PP players' numbers.

The Flames are going to find themselves log jammed with depth picks. Frost, Farabee, Coronato, Zary, Sharangovich, and Klapka all fill depth positions (although Coronato, Zary, and possibly Frost could evolve into something more). With these late firsts, you're far more likely to draft these 35-40 point guys you talk about than you are a Rossi.

We saw the noticeable production decline from Frost and Farabee. Right now it's hard to justify adding more of this good, complimentary calibre of player, it would just spread the ice time thinner. We have lots of good forwards already. we need elite forwards.

[dammage79]

I don't see the Flames being worse next year. This year Wolf dragged this team to the cusp of the playoffs. Next year it's going to be Parekh doing it.

I've come to terms with the fact the Flames won't ever get a top 3 draft pick of their own at this point. And have accepted that they're going to ice a plucky lunch bucket team every season.

I will say this though, I highly doubt they're walking past year's roster back for another season.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by saillias

We saw the noticeable production decline from Frost and Farabee. Right now it's hard to justify adding more of this good, complimentary calibre of player, it would just spread the ice time thinner. We have lots of good forwards already. we need elite forwards.

I agree.

I see Rossi as a step up from the long list of depth players the Flames have. In fact, the Flames should be trading some of the depth players/prospects to acquire higher skilled players. I'm sure Conroy is looking out for just that opportunity, but it hasn't come up yet.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I don't see the Flames being worse next year. This year Wolf dragged this team to the cusp of the playoffs. Next year it's going to be Parekh doing it.

Parekh could be a difference maker for sure. A d-man to carry the puck, make breakout passes, establish the zone, and quarterback the offensive zone/PP is one of two major piece the Flames are missing.

[dino7c]

Flames were carried by Wolf earlier in the year, in the last half when the roster was slotted better they were legit a good team. The numbers back this up.

[Vinsta13]

Jonathan Huberdeau during his 115-point season (2021-2022) with the Florida Panthers played with Ekblad the most on the backend and he put up 57 points (15 goals and 42 assists). Wonder if we can see that chemistry with Parekh. Gaudreau and Gio had it, Gaudreau and Wideman. Need a rover that can pinch in and I believe that is something unfortunately the Flames haven't seen since Gio left.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by keenan87

My biggest question is how the Flames plan on opening aome spots for younger players.

My other question is - which prospects need to make the team this upcoming season as their last chance before they will likely wither away. Poirier and Stromgen are the first who come to mind... maybe Kerins.

1. Likely trading one of Coleman and Farabee up front, and Andersson on the backend.

1.b. Potentially waiving the likes of Miromanov, Bean, and Pachal if they get passed on the backend. Lomberg could become the 13th forward.

1.c. Injuries happen. A player could go down on a nothing play like Sharangovich did in camp, followed by Rooney on the 1st game of the season, then another could be out for the season like Mantha, and so can his replacement like Kirkland.

2. I see waivers as a good indicator of a last chance(waiver eligible seasons):
At forward those would be: Kerins(3/3), Klapka(3/3), Morton(1/1)
On the back end: Solovyov(3/3), Kuznetsov(5/5), Poirier(4/4)

Klapka probably already made the team, but he needs to have a good camp. I could see both Kerins and Morton starting on the 4th line. Kuznetsov passed Solovyov on the D depth for the Wranglers, and has the inside track for the 3LD spot.

Waiver eligible 1 year from now: Stromgren(2/3), Grushnikov(4/5), Ciona(3/4)

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

...
Defence is a bit more simple.
Weegar - X
Bahl - Parekh
Bean - Pachal
...

Looking at the D group, I am more and more hoping that they keep the spots open for rookies. Hanley did a great job going from a waiver claim to a serviceable player and I hope it earns him a contract... somewhere else. I would also avoid going out and getting a different UFA.

I would start the season like this:
Bean-Weegar
Bahl-Pachal
Kuznetsov-Parekh
Solovyov-Miromanov

Yes, that means we are running 8 D and only have room for 1 forward in the pressbox but I think that is the way to go for working 3 rookies into the D group at the same time.

The objective would be to try and move the D group to look more like this by mid-season:
Kuznetsov-Weegar
Bahl-Parekh
Solovyov-Pachal
Bean-Miromanov

Hopefully if Weegar can get Hanley to look like a top4 D then he can also cover up the learning curve for Kuznetsov.