2024/2025 Season trade rumours and speculation thread

[Vinny01]

Andersson is gone which I do not think is a surprise to anyone

I do think Craig will hold onto him into the season if he doesn’t get the offers he wants and moves him as a rental if need be but I suspect both sides would like to get a trade done in the summer.

[gvitaly]

• It's very hard to get a top 5 pick
• 2 years ago no one wanted to move picks
• Conroy was getting excited at the lottery, especially with the 2nd draw when it looked like we had a chance. He literally threw his hands up when the Flames were the first team eliminated in the 1st draw.
• Andersson wanted to take a bit of a mental break, that's why they reached in last week.
• Doesn't think there's a deadline to sign Andersson, as in it wouldn't upset Andersson, he would still give it his all.
• Andersson has been very open about it, he just wants to have a great year because it helps his contract.

[howard_the_duck]

A couple noteworthy bites:

"We're not going to build through free agency"

"We might not be able to draft top 5'

[Vinny01]

Conroy stating he won’t build through free agency.

You add if you can

Unless you can get a star player then you have to look at it.


Mentions building through the draft and trade but doesn’t think they are picking top 5

[gvitaly]

• Are you taking call on Andersson? That's a part of the job, you take calls on any player
• Have you been intrigued by any offers? It's mostly draft staff right now, and general need conversations right now.
• Conroy has a great relationship with Rasmus, he's fun to be around. Andersson chirps Conroy.
• Everyone says the cap is going up, but the money can go quickly. It's not like the old days when you had a bridge after the 1st contract [you have to pay players right away].
• Are the Flames at a fork in the road, depending on how the negotiation goes? This group believes that they're the underdog still. They will get better. The plan is to continue putting young players.
• The plan is to get into the playoffs every year and get some experience there for the young guys
• We're not going to build through free-agency
• You still have to consider the top calibler free agents
• We're not going to draft top-5. That's not what our guys believe. So now it's how do I add to those guys.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

A couple noteworthy bites:

"We're not going to build through free agency"

"We might not be able to draft top 5'

Feels like more and more this team could pull a San Jose unless a couple of centre prospects hit unexpectedly

[gvitaly]

• If the Flames are going to get to where they're going, then Parekh is going to have to be a really good player for them at some point.
• Parekh has a pretty special skill set
• Doesn't see Parekh going back to junior, but he needs to get stronger.
• It's hard for a younger guy getting hit for 82 games a year
• Parekh's mind thinks a little bit differently.
• If the pick is 18 the Flames need to dial in and make a great pick
• If they could've won the lottery and gotten 6 it would've been pretty great for them
• Wishes Zary wasn't hurt and got to play down the stretch
• It was a great experience for Wolf playing those games.
• Great year for Huberdeau. Gives him kudos for killing penalties.

[Vinny01]

Says he will go big game hunting in the sense he will talk to all free agents. Talks about getting Kadri, Coleman, Tanev, Markstrom as guys they targeted.

Makes me wonder if they go after Ehlers, Boeser etc?

[gvitaly]

• The Wolf camp would be open to signing long term, but they're (Wolf's camp) not in a hurry.
• It's amazing that Wolf is in a great shape for a goalie
• Wolf thinks he can improve a lot of things, he's dialled in
• Wolf's like a sponge, that has a great routine and continues to learn
• Backup- It's still a work in progress. There's not a lot. People are locking up their goalies as quick as they can. Still have work to do here.
• Wolf wants to play more games. The backup will get up to ~30-35.
• Down the stretch couldn't be happier with Dan's play, they were a great tandem
• Huska is Conroy's coach, they're building the Flames together, and they need some continuity
• Huska is not a lame duck coach, he has done a great job, so whenever they both have time they will talk contract.

[howard_the_duck]

Sounds like they might be players in free agency? Hard to read based on earlier comments. Was a bit cagey about this, but says in response to will they be big-game hunting "you have to try".

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Says he will go big game hunting in the sense he will talk to all free agents. Talks about getting Kadri, Coleman, Tanev, Markstrom as guys they targeted.

Makes me wonder if they go after Ehlers, Boeser etc?

Please no to Boeser. Guaranteed the contract he signs will be the worst one this summer.

[gvitaly]

• Hartley was the one coach that believed in Bennett
• The Flames can't afford to give up on players before giving them the opportunity
• The Flames didn't figure out exactly what he was, and that's a mistake they shouldn't repeat
• We believed in Sam when he was here, and haven't seen it. Then after the trade he became excellent overnight with Huberdeau.
• Free agency - there are players they target, and have to make a push if they feel that a certain guy is going to help them long term. That's what the Flames are looking for.
• Last year the Flames were looking for a bit of an insulation for the young guys
• Doesn't want to block anyone this year
• Are you big game hunting? You have to try, you don't know unless you make the phone call. The Flames have money.
• If there's an opportunity and there's a need then they have to make a push. Especially since there's money. They don't want te get a guy just to get a guy.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Sounds like they might be players in free agency? Hard to read based on earlier comments. Was a bit cagey about this, but says in response to will they be big-game hunting "you have to try".

What does he mean by big game hunting is the question. Marner, Eichel, and Rantanen etc are big game hunting to me. Tanev and Coleman not so much. They’ll still have to sign some UFAs at some point but I liked it better when it was just no plans to build through free agency haha

[Bingo]

I get the feeling the move may be to move back in this draft.

If most teams are trying to move up, you may get an overpay and add solid draft capital in a draft that looks to get pretty scattered after the first 14 picks.

[Royle9]

Craig Talk recap:

Players are smart these days, they have a whole "team" involved with their training and development before getting to the NHL.

Coronato negotiation - His camp was really open to signing long term. Likes city, likes being part of this team. Great for an American kid to want to be apart of this and commit to something we're doing. Never felt like both sides wanted to not get this done.

Lombergs wife went on a podcast and said GREAT things about Calgary. Excited to see guys stay here over the summer and get better. Mentioned Lomberg, Bahl, Backs as guys still here.

Draft

• Craig bringing EVERYONE in to one room to talk, no need to talk amongst certain people like you would a draft table. Can speak freely amongst themselves.
• Analytics can freely investigate trade scenarios move up, move down more picks etc.
• Drawback is making a lot of calls right now on moving up/down and what that appetite is.
• Nice at the draft to be able to go over to another table and chit chat with other GM's. Definitely easier.
• Very packed at the table though, and always have to keep your lists not visible etc.
• Craig thinks there's very good players in this draft depending on what your looking for.
• Feels like this is a "10 draft" meaning after 10 its pretty wide open and every team has their own read. Mentions most drafts that can go on until 20/25 usually.
• Craig not sure even #1 is locked in, says they know who THEY would take but doesn't know for certain how the Isles will go. Mentions Darche not seeing his team and how it all fits just yet being new. Looking forward to it

Any chance Calgary is viewing position over best player?
Only if they saw a player as absolute ELITE and to good to pass up. Have to have strength in their conviction when drafting, he just believes in their list and that's what they use.

• Doesnt know how it will play out at 18, but excited about it
• How aggressive is the move up option?
• Craig does think its there, but its going to be there the day of the draft and you have to see how it unfolds. Most GM's said if they have a guy there and hes gone they will move. Mostly teams who dont have a lot of picks.
• Craig would LOVE to move up. Mentions 2 years ago (Nashville) NOBODY wanted to move their picks at all, they tried.
• Last year a few moves but not a ton.
• VERY Hard to get into the top 5, almost impossible.
• Craig was watching those lottery balls, mentions how they were praying for the #9 ball to fall and let them move up to 6. "would have been amazing"
• Does think that there will be opportunities to move up after the first few picks go.

Big Picture Overview

• Rasmus Future in Calgary: One path is keeping the veteran and the other is moving for younger assets.
• Craig says end of season Andersson wanted a mental break, no talk.
• Dialogue has started, they have term and number he likes and Andersson's camp has what they like.
• It will determine what path Calgary will go down long term.
• Craig loves the player/guy but mentions its a business.
• "We'll see where we're at"
• Would love to have it done before draft.
• Acknowledged Rasmus is very honest and is committed to this team has he's here next year, mentions he's very open and honest about what both sides want to do. No deadlines, Rasmus just focused on the season at hand and will play it wherever he ends up.
• Craig agrees this is Rasmus's one and maybe only cut at free agency, one chance to feel the market.
• Is Craig accepting calls on Rasmus? Having conversations about the scenario where he doesn't come back?
• Yes that's part of the job, but have to do it with every player as you never know what's out there. Wont single out Rasmus, but says its mostly just draft chatter right now and discussing what every team needs/wants. Building out who might have interest in some of their players based on their team needs.
• Delicate balance, went through it with Hanifin.
• Craig has a great relationship with Rasmus, mentions the "stare" and the rivalry with Tom Wilson. They love to joke around.
• With that said the money goes quick and there's young guys coming up that will need it so you have to really keep an eye on it.

Will the Rasmus Andersson situation change the course of the team long term? Rebuild vs Going for it?

• Doesn't think so, everyone was pissed off they got 96 and didnt get in.
• Each guy took responsibility and said if they were just a bit better they would be in.
• Loves the group, Coronato signing long term shows that.
• Other guys to get done here.
• Goal is to always continue to get better, and that means putting in young players with support from the veterans and "hopefully" get into the playoffs and get the young guys experience.
• Really liked Gridin in the playoffs, also mentioned Battaglia and Basha.
• When a star player gets to UFA you have to make a pitch, you have to get better.
• Believes firmly in getting better through the draft or trade, rarely see it in UFA
• Thinks the hockey minds will put Calgary back in the bottom next year but doesnt believe in it.
• Have to keep building, have to show the young guys your going to compete every night.
• Mentions he doesn't want to rush Parekh but he's a special player with a special skillset
• Tough to see Parekh go back and play in JR again.
• Mentions he needs to get stronger, took 2 big hits in the 1 game (not that he got hurt) but ensure he can take it over 82 games
• Need to dial in and make a good pick at 18
• Dallas made some very good picks later in the draft
• Would have been a homerun if they made it to the 6th pick
• Wishes Zary wasn't hurt, Wolf playing all the games down the stretch was great.
• Huberdeau might be their best PK guy, loved him there.

CALDER/WOLF

• Just talked to his agents, both sides want a long term deal
• Loves it here, loves the faith they had in him
• Wolf is here all summer, doesn't go home
• For a goalie he's in great shape, acknowledges he has things to work on at the end of the season
• Mentions there was things Wolf said he wasnt happy with in himself and all the technical goalie stuff he needs to work on
• Wants to get better, learn, and mentions his routine is very strict and focused
• Wolf said he can play more games, as many as Craig wants
• Best guess on backup?
• Work in progress, lots locked up but they have some work to do there.
• Is it money the tandem makes? or person?
• Wolf will be the #1 and get more games
• Working with Jordan to determine who the best person is for Wolf
• Mentions both Wolf and Vladar wanted the starting job at the start of last season, weren't working together as well but that changed about half way through

Head Coach/Contract

• 1 year left of Huska, normally we see extensions by now
• Getting Huska a new deal is a priority, the team needs continuity
• Huska and Craig will build this together moving forward
• Timing is not a priority, not a lame duck scenario
• When there's time they will get a new deal done

Sam Bennett

• One thing they learned was they drafted him as a center but never put him in that position to succeed.
• The one coach that believed in Sam the most was Bob Hartley
• Coaching change was not good, cant afford to do that
• Best player in the playoffs even for Calgary
• Always want a do-over but the Flames didn't figure out what he was fast enough
• Highest pick Calgary ever had, agrees Bennett didn't give them a lot but blames Calgary/himself and the decisions the team made as the downfall
• Learned a lot from these mistakes.

July 1st - UFA

• Jokes Mantha was the big sign lastyear, only played 9 games
• Lots of space, thinks there's players that they could target and have to take a run at and see if they would bite to come to Calgary but it has to make sense long term.
• Player would have to be a difference maker for Calgary long term
• Last year was more focused on bringing in a vet to help with the young guys
• Doesn't want to block a younger guy with just an average pickup
• "Have to try" when asked about BIG GAME HUNTING in UFA
• Mentions Kadri as a guy who they hunted as a big UFA but they got him and it was a guy they really wanted (Tanev, Coleman, Marky also named)
• Have to be aggressive in Calgary - New building will help
• But to get a body just to get a body doesn't make sense

Frost/Farabee

• Fit in great with the group
• Would like more from them offensively
• Need to get both guys back to .5 PPG/20goals
• Frost very good at faceoffs and bringing the puck into the zone on the PP
• Need them to take a big step this year
• Klapka coming back next year will be great for the team

Young Guys/Hunger to get them into the NHL

• Lots of opportunity to put then in the AHL next year
• No rush, don't want them in over their heads
• They need to have success at whatever level they are playing
• Mentions Ferland and his journey, going to ECHL and then back to Brandon
• Takes time for these kids and need to see whos ready
• Honzek has missed a lot of games to injury
• Had a great camp, injury really put him in a bad place last year
• Has to get bigger/stronger - but he's very fast
• His windgate test may be the best there's ever been at a Combine
• Needs to play, hopefully injuries are out of his way.
• Sharongovich - Good at the end of the year, but overall down year
• Huge piece for this team, shot/scoring but hes very hard on himself
• Should have let him get healthy a bit longer but he wanted to come back early as he though he was ready
• Mental game for Sharky, needs to have a good camp because Flames are going to need him
• 1 more shootout win, 1 more goal and they're in the players
• The west is a "beast" and the teams are very good here
• Lots of work ahead of them, great leadership, great young guys and really looking forward to the draft.

[gvitaly]

• Frost and Farabee fit great with the group, but wanted more production.
• Farabee was 3rd in scoring chances down the stretch
• Frost was great at bringing the puck in on the PP
• Have an opportunity to put some of the guys drafted last year in the AHL this year.
• First did it with Ferland, have to be careful because they don't want to rush guys and hurt their development
• Honzek had a great camp, but it was tough because he got the injury.
• Honzek is powerful is fast, had one of the best wingate's at the combine
• Need to make sure they're patient, might take a little more time
• Mentions Bennett, got to make sure that when he's ready to bring him up. He's a big player, fast, strong and hopefully he got all the injuries out of the way now.
• Could see Sharanngovich was more comfortable towards the end
• Sharangovich is a huge piece for this team, with his shot and his skillset
• Sharangovich was hard on himself because maybe he came back a little quick.
• It started to come back towards the end of the year. A lot of it is mental so have to make sure he's in a good mental space.
• The West is a beast, it's amazing to see how good are the teams in the West
• Have a lot of young guys coming in, and going to have a fun draft

I think that's all of it. Hopefully I didn't miss too much.

[traptor]

I wish I could love it, but I just can't see the road to contention with what he's laid out. Only time will tell, hope i'm wrong.

It does feel like they will make the right decision with Rasmus, which would be huge.

The UFA talk worries me a bit but it's good news that they're not going to middling targets. I wonder what they consider the big game targets. I hope that doesn't constitute Ehlers and Boeser types.

[Icantwhisper]

While I would like us to do better points wise next year, part of me thinks that retooling's/rebuild (whatever this is) seldom see a upward trend year over year.
Most teams see a "saw blade" for points totals in the 3-5 years they are trying to retool, think last year might have been a year where a lot of things went perfect and might be hard to repeat next year.
Guess we'll see but my expectations are tempered, we've all seen teams add players that make them look better on paper and then it just doesn't work for whatever reasons.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

While I would like us to do better points wise next year, part of me thinks that retooling's/rebuild (whatever this is) seldom see a upward trend year over year.
Most teams see a "saw blade" for points totals in the 3-5 years they are trying to retool, think last year might have been a year where a lot of things went perfect and might be hard to repeat next year.
Guess we'll see but my expectations are tempered, we've all seen teams add players that make them look better on paper and then it just doesn't work for whatever reasons.

I would not be surprised if they take a step back next year.
You also have to factor in what teams around them will be improving.

Teams that will still be good: Winnipeg, Vegas, Dallas, Colorado,

Teams that could take a step back: LA, Minny, Stl. Louis, Calgary, Vancouver

Teams that could take a step forward: Utah, Anaheim, SJ (probably still bad though)

Who the hell knows: Seattle, Nashville.

Still bad: Chicago.

NG (always and forever): Edmonton

[Vinny01]

The veteran 6 is likely losing Andersson this summer. The expectation is the remaining 5 likely are about as good as they were last year. Seems doable for the most part with some guys maybe being better like Huberdeau where Kadri might see some offensive drop off.


It comes down to that group in their 20’s to improve. Wolf, Coronato, Frost, Sharangovich, Farabee, Bahl, Zary, Pospisil. Will they add some pieces to that group? Any other rookies pushing for a roster spot other than Parekh?