2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Kind of a dud of a day so far.. usually feels like this is one of the most heavy trade days of the year. Hopefully it picks up tonight, i hate how risk averse north American sports team managers are getting, trades are a huge part of the entertainment package and what makes it more interesting. Hearing lines like... we'll make a splash by using our draft picks is lame, even if it's what they need to say

I think it was Scott Wheeler who said it on the Fan960 yesterday that having a bunch of teams with multiple first round draft picks and many teams not worried about getting into the first round means that there is not much motivation for trades. That seemed probably right to me.

[Poe969]

I know it's probably early, but is someone going to make a thread about UFA's? A lot will change between now and Free Agent Frenzy day, but who are some guys you know will be available that we should pursue? I know the whole direction of the team could change by then but what do you guys think?

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

People say this all the time, but it continues to rarely happen. Because players aren't poker chips.

It has nothing to do with players being poker chips.

It's just managing your assets.

Trying to force a very specific type of return for Andersson might limit you from actually getting the most possible value for him and also limits your market since not all team will have those types of assets available.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It has nothing to do with players being poker chips.

It's just managing your assets.

Trying to force a very specific type of return for Andersson might limit you from actually getting the most possible value for him and also limits your market since not all team will have those types of assets available.

I agree with your overall point that the Flames need to be constantly increasing the value of their assets at this point in their roster construction. I do think that - unless the team already has a second trade lined up - they risk losing leverage on the second deal if they make trades that don't make sense for the roster construction.


For example, if the very best deal for Andersson involves two RHD or two left wings coming back then it would seem obvious to other teams that unloading one of those players becomes paramount. They can bury people in the minors but that risks alienating younger players or losing players on waivers. So, your larger point is valid but I disagree in that that they still need to consider roster construction and placements.

[Niemo]

Almost regardless of what anyone says at this point, but if no moves are made tomorrow - it's a disappointment. Media and Flames can sell patience all they want and make it sound like we need to wait for the best return, but it's not always the case.

Let's go Connie! Make us proud.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

I think it was Scott Wheeler who said it on the Fan960 yesterday that having a bunch of teams with multiple first round draft picks and many teams not worried about getting into the first round means that there is not much motivation for trades. That seemed probably right to me.

Add in the fact that it is a weaker draft with a steep drop off in skillsets outside the top 10 and there is little motivation for team with picks in the top 10 to trade down.

They tell us every year that there is a lot of trade talk and that there could be lots of moves leading up to and during the draft. It rarely happens. Which sucks. Would love to see an active draft for once with lots of trades. Starting today.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Almost regardless of what anyone says at this point, but if no moves are made tomorrow - it's a disappointment. Media and Flames can sell patience all they want and make it sound like we need to wait for the best return, but it's not always the case.

Let's go Connie! Make us proud.

The real Rhett was saying the other day you have to trade all of Andersson, Kadri, Backlund and Coleman this summer. Pick a direction and to rebuild, and stop being the murky middle team.

I would love for them to go scorched earth and based on Secs comments it could happen. But I still have my doubts. I don't know if Murray Edwards would allow it.

Hoping for it though!

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

The real Rhett was saying the other day you have to trade all of Andersson, Kadri, Backlund and Coleman this summer. Pick a direction and to rebuild, and stop being the murky middle team.

I would love for them to go scorched earth and based on Secs comments it could happen. But I still have my doubts. I don't know if Murray Edwards would allow it.

Hoping for it though!

I think you should be trading two of them right now TBH.

Trade Andersson for sure.

Likely one of Kadri or Coleman now.

Backlund...really it depends on the return but if you're getting like a 2nd round pick back I wouldn't rush to trade my captain. He can wait.

[Shazam]

I don't think the Flames are meeting the cap floor if they trade all four of them w/o taking salary back.

[Poe969]

Just sign a few 1 year deals with inflated AAV to trade at the deadline.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Shazam

I don't think the Flames are meeting the cap floor if they trade all four of them w/o taking salary back.

I think part of his plan was to take on a few bad contracts for picks or to retain salary to up their value.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Almost regardless of what anyone says at this point, but if no moves are made tomorrow - it's a disappointment. Media and Flames can sell patience all they want and make it sound like we need to wait for the best return, but it's not always the case.

Let's go Connie! Make us proud.

Huh?

I get it that fans want activity, but I'm all about getting the best moves, whenever they happen.

If they feel waiting until Ekblad is off the market is the best course for max Andersson return then you leave it until after July 1st.

No disappointment from me if they wait and get a better deal.

[Niemo]

I think if Kadri really want to stay, that's fine since we dont have a choice. Kadri seems like a good mentor (need at least 1 or 2 on Offense and 1 on D). Ras and Coleman really need to go though. Kadri, Huberdeau, Backlund and Weegar are more than enough vet presence to teach the kids.

Please trade Raz and Coleman. If a good offer comes along for one or 2 of the others, go for it.

[Paulie Walnuts]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1938333927812333758

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Huh?

I get it that fans want activity, but I'm all about getting the best moves, whenever they happen.

If they feel waiting until Ekblad is off the market is the best course for max Andersson return then you leave it until after July 1st.

No disappointment from me if they wait and get a better deal.

My worry is you rarely get a better deal if you wait.

In order to maximize the return on Andersson he should have been moved last draft IMO.

Waiting until now probably means his value is already a bit lower.

And then waiting until in the season invites a bunch of risk with injury and play.

So sure it might get better but you're inviting a lot of risk.

The rumours are lots of teams are looking to add, and that Andersson is the premier RH d-man on the market. You need to be able to get a deal over the finish line.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

My worry is you rarely get a better deal if you wait.

In order to maximize the return on Andersson he should have been moved last draft IMO.

Waiting until now probably means his value is already a bit lower.

And then waiting until in the season invites a bunch of risk with injury and play.

So sure it might get better but you're inviting a lot of risk.

The rumours are lots of teams are looking to add, and that Andersson is the premier RH d-man on the market. You need to be able to get a deal over the finish line.

Neither you nor I know though.

Conroy knows what was discussed last summer, what was discussed at the trade deadline, and what he's hearing now.

They have to make a call to maximize the return, and I doubt very much they would wait until after July 1st if they didn't think that was the best move. So I don't see it as a "can't get a deal over the finish line" if it doesn't happen in the next 27 hours.

It's a call on the Ekblad differential to Andersson's value, and perhaps a lean to get 2026 picks over 2025.

Taking him into next season is very doubtful to me ... too much chatter about how the previous UFAs hung over the team the whole year.

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

https://twitter.com/user/status/1938333927812333758

Toronto? What would they offer, a half-eaten ham sandwich?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Ba'alzamon

Toronto? What would they offer, a half-eaten ham sandwich?

Attaching Toronto to all rumors helps drive traffic.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Ba'alzamon

Toronto? What would they offer, a half-eaten ham sandwich?

Treliving is in on everything. Hardest working GM out there if he doesn’t get his guy he finishes second in every single trade

[Niemo]

I understand the idea that Ekblad being off the market "may" increase Ras' value, but I'd also challenge that with the idea that teams all have a good idea by now if they have a chance at Ekblad or not.

Its also frustrating that we "just started" seeing what's out there for Ras.......the whole idea that they JUST exchanged numbers and they had not much idea before where each party was at doesn't make much sense to me. Nothing against Conroy because I really like him, but everyone and their dog knew that this situation was coming a year ago.....and he clamors about how honest, transparent, and tight they are with each other.

I also dont think waiting = better offers. Its 50/50 at best. I wouldn't say we got killer offers for any of the guys we sold. I'm glad Hunter B. and Matvei Gridin are looking real good, otherwise the whole "5 pieces for Lindholm" narrative is looking pretty 'meh'. I mean Joni Jurmo, Kuzmenko (@ 5.5MM for another full yr) and a conditional mid pick aren't really "pieces" worth clamoring about. Throw in the Miromanovs, Grushnikovs, etc.......

At least Bahl is looking solid if we can resign him at a good price. I'm not convinced that waiting got us a better offer there either.

I'm just ranting and all over the place now. Tomorrow can't come fast enough.

Appreciate all the insider info guys!