2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I’ve been told that ANA has NOT made McTavish available, they’re not shopping him actively.
Doesn’t mean the player doesn’t want out or the situation isn’t somewhat stressed, but not being discussed as available… yet at least, suppose that could change.

ANA can match any offer sheet with over 30M in space so that’s not a threat.
Told that McTavish is quite happy in ANA so I’m not entirely sure where the rumour of him not being happy is coming from.

It’s fan fiction and thinking teams want to trade their young centers because we are desperate.

On opportunities for Zegras
Yeah, ultimately Trevor has been wanting to play center, and I think that he'll be given that opportunity in Philadelphia. I think that when he's more creative in the middle of the ice than having to play from the wing, we're fortunate there's Leo [Carlsson] and there's Mason [McTavish]. So we find that they're two pretty good centermen. So Trevor to kind of get pushed to the wing, and that probably doesn't suit his best attributes being able to create from the middle. So bringing in Chris Kreider kind of changed the line combinations from that aspect. And as I said before, we're looking to have different ingredients of players to complement each other's assets. You can't always have the most skilled guys on a line and expect that line to be great. There's always another ingredient that helps make those skilled guys better. So I'm looking for those types of scenarios to have our lines have a different look and a different feel.

No mention of Cutter either. Doesn’t sound like a player being groomed for 3rd line duty. More like making sure the spot in the top 2 is his.

It’s pretty evident they have a plan of Leo-Mason-Pmoney

[Sofa GM]

My goodness does the Hockey Writers ever publish absolute trash. There was an article released offering potential destinations for Kadri that aren’t Toronto. I understand Kadri is going no where which is fine, but thought I would look. One of the proposals was Kadri to the Ducks for the rights to McTavish.

Are there any actual hockey people that write there? I mean would love that deal but seriously. Who writes that stuff, understand the game for crying out loud.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Sofa GM

My goodness does the Hockey Writers ever publish absolute trash. There was an article released offering potential destinations for Kadri that aren’t Toronto. I understand Kadri is going no where which is fine, but thought I would look. One of the proposals was Kadri to the Ducks for the rights to McTavish.

Are there any actual hockey people that write there? I mean would love that deal but seriously. Who writes that stuff, understand the game for crying out loud.

Verbeek has made some pretty sus deals in the past, but that one would definitely be up for firing him.

Although, Anaheim with Carlsson / Kadri up the middle would be pretty damn good.

[stemit14]

It’s the dog days of the off season so here’s a hypothetical… where do you think the flames are likely to finish this season under 2 potential scenarios:

Scenario 1:
Flames trade Andersson, Kadri and Coleman before the start of the season for picks and prospects exclusively. No established NHLers - just a boatload of picks and/or prospects. They don’t sign/trade for any players in free agency to fill the holes in the lineup from these player leaving — the plan is to fill these spots internally. Parekh makes the team out of camp. Zary is shifted back to center for the season to give him a full season look in that spot. Coleman’s spot is taken by one of the multiple young players that should be close to being ready. Opening day roster:

Coronato-Zary-Posposil
Huberdeau-Frost-Klapka
Farabee-Backlund-Sharangovich
Lomberg-Morton/Hunt/Kirkland-Stromgren/Suniev

Hanley-Weegar
Bahl-Parekh
Solovyov-Pachal
Miromanov/Bean

Wolf
Cooley

Scenario 2:
The flames keep Andersson till the trade deadline and trade him for a 1st round pick + 2nd round pick + B-level prospect. No one else is traded this season. Flames trade Andersson at the deadline no matter where they are in the standings - even if they are first in the division at the time. They still put Zary at center for the season. Parekh makes the team but is healthy scratched for 10 -12 games during the season. When he is in the lineup:

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

Weegar-Parekh
Bahl-Andersson
Hanley-Pachal
Miromanov/Bean

Wolf
Cooley

[memphusk]

Zary at center is key. He shouldn't play the wing again as long as he is a Flame.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Zary at center is key. He shouldn't play the wing again as long as he is a Flame.

I'm not buying Zary as a C. Who does he displace right now? Unless you are playing him 4th line which would be a bad fit or Backlund retired or is moved there is no spot. That and I really think his game is more suited to wing.

[dissentowner]

I guess we should give up as Paulie says young centres moving is fan fiction. I mean it happens every year but let's not reality get in the way.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I'm not buying Zary as a C. Who does he displace right now? Unless you are playing him 4th line which would be a bad fit or Backlund retired or is moved there is no spot. That and I really think his game is more suited to wing.

I do hope he gets some stints at C, but I would love a Zary - Reschny - Coronato line down the road.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I guess we should give up as Paulie says young centres moving is fan fiction. I mean it happens every year but let's not reality get in the way.

So verbeek is a liar ?

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by stemit14

It’s the dog days of the off season so here’s a hypothetical… where do you think the flames are likely to finish this season under 2 potential scenarios:

Scenario 1: 25-28 overall.
If I had to pick I'd say we'd be drafting 6th overall.

Scenario 2: 15-21 overall.
This team can be anywhere from WC1 to a bottom 10 finish. I think the goalies will have a bit of a tougher year, but the Flames are going to score a lot more goals. They'll be good enough for 8th in the West.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by blankall

McTavish would be an almost ideal add for the Flames. I may be in the minority, but I'd give up the 2026 1st for McTavish. The Flames start having what looks like a pretty great lineup with McTavish as a #1A/B centre and I don't see their 1st being all that high.

If you can lottery protect the pick its a no brainer. If you can't its a tougher call. McKenna is a franchise defining player, and the 2026 draft is deep. But the chances of the Flames getting the top spot is low. Outside of McKenna it is unlikely the Flames draft a player better the McTavish.

Personally I would prefer the Flames to draft and develop their own core. But if they are going to continue to try and shortcut the rebuild and McTavish is available, then they need to be making a strong offer.

[mogg]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I'm not buying Zary as a C. Who does he displace right now? Unless you are playing him 4th line which would be a bad fit or Backlund retired or is moved there is no spot. That and I really think his game is more suited to wing.

I think all we know now is 1) we’re all clamouring for young centres to move forward with, and 2) of all the players tried at centre last year pre-Frost, Zary was the one guy who didn’t look out of place. But as you say there’s of course no room for him there right now. He’ll probably have to wait for an injury to get a shot, but I think they have to try him there eventually. He’s been a natural centre elsewhere and I’ve seen nothing to suggest he can’t be one here. We could have a 2C right under our noses.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I'm not buying Zary as a C. Who does he displace right now? Unless you are playing him 4th line which would be a bad fit or Backlund retired or is moved there is no spot. That and I really think his game is more suited to wing.

I prefer him at C, but I think the coaching staff agrees with you. They need to decide how to use him though. He was bounced between all forward positions and all four lines a lot last season.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by stemit14

It’s the dog days of the off season so here’s a hypothetical… where do you think the flames are likely to finish this season under 2 potential scenarios:

Scenario 1:
Flames trade Andersson, Kadri and Coleman before the start of the season for picks and prospects exclusively. No established NHLers - just a boatload of picks and/or prospects. They don’t sign/trade for any players in free agency to fill the holes in the lineup from these player leaving — the plan is to fill these spots internally. Parekh makes the team out of camp. Zary is shifted back to center for the season to give him a full season look in that spot. Coleman’s spot is taken by one of the multiple young players that should be close to being ready. Opening day roster:

Coronato-Zary-Posposil
Huberdeau-Frost-Klapka
Farabee-Backlund-Sharangovich
Lomberg-Morton/Hunt/Kirkland-Stromgren/Suniev

Hanley-Weegar
Bahl-Parekh
Solovyov-Pachal
Miromanov/Bean

Wolf
Cooley

Scenario 2:
The flames keep Andersson till the trade deadline and trade him for a 1st round pick + 2nd round pick + B-level prospect. No one else is traded this season. Flames trade Andersson at the deadline no matter where they are in the standings - even if they are first in the division at the time. They still put Zary at center for the season. Parekh makes the team but is healthy scratched for 10 -12 games during the season. When he is in the lineup:

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

Weegar-Parekh
Bahl-Andersson
Hanley-Pachal
Miromanov/Bean

Wolf
Cooley

not really answering your question, but in scenario 1, then I think you have to give anyone resembling a prospect- esp with waiver concerns a look see- so I'd expect to see the likes of Kerins, Kuznetzov and Poirier over some of the Miromanov's and Hunt's

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by kehatch

I prefer him at C, but I think the coaching staff agrees with you. They need to decide how to use him though. He was bounced between all forward positions and all four lines a lot last season.

Bargain bin coaching staff.

[ComixZone]

I do not understand the "I don't see Zary as a centre" point of conversation. I think that's garbage, and I don't think there's anything in his play specifically as a centre to justify holding that opinion in my eyes other than a pre-existing bias.

Drafted as a centre. Was showing well as a centre before injury.

Play him as a centre. Give him consistency, and opportunity. Don't Sam Bennett him, and if they kick him all over the roster next year you know all that it proves? Is that Huska is just another Glen Gulutzan/Geoff Ward and they don't understand how to develop young players with NHL minutes.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I do not understand the "I don't see Zary as a centre" point of conversation. I think that's garbage.

Drafted as a centre. Was showing well as a centre before injury.

Play him as a centre. Give him consistency, and opportunity. Don't Sam Bennett him, and if they kick him all over the roster next year you know all that it proves? Is that Huska is just another Glen Gulutzan/Geoff Ward and they don't understand how to develop young players with NHL minutes.

Conroy has alluded to this in a couple of interviews. Essentially if you draft a player to play C then play him at C. But right or wrong the coaches were reluctant to play Zary at C. Even before Frost arrived they bounced around several players, seeming to favor Pospisil at the position.

Personally I really dislike Pospisil at C and really like Zary there. Regardless, hopefully they can find some stability for those two players. Injuries didn't help, but those two guys were shuffled a lot and I think it was to their detriment.

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by stemit14

It’s the dog days of the off season so here’s a hypothetical… where do you think the flames are likely to finish this season under 2 potential scenarios:

Scenario 1:
Flames trade Andersson, Kadri and Coleman before the start of the season for picks and prospects exclusively. No established NHLers - just a boatload of picks and/or prospects. They don’t sign/trade for any players in free agency to fill the holes in the lineup from these player leaving — the plan is to fill these spots internally. Parekh makes the team out of camp. Zary is shifted back to center for the season to give him a full season look in that spot. Coleman’s spot is taken by one of the multiple young players that should be close to being ready. Opening day roster:

Coronato-Zary-Posposil
Huberdeau-Frost-Klapka
Farabee-Backlund-Sharangovich
Lomberg-Morton/Hunt/Kirkland-Stromgren/Suniev

Hanley-Weegar
Bahl-Parekh
Solovyov-Pachal
Miromanov/Bean

Wolf
Cooley

Scenario 2:
The flames keep Andersson till the trade deadline and trade him for a 1st round pick + 2nd round pick + B-level prospect. No one else is traded this season. Flames trade Andersson at the deadline no matter where they are in the standings - even if they are first in the division at the time. They still put Zary at center for the season. Parekh makes the team but is healthy scratched for 10 -12 games during the season. When he is in the lineup:

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

Weegar-Parekh
Bahl-Andersson
Hanley-Pachal
Miromanov/Bean

Wolf
Cooley

We finish one point out of the playoffs in both scenarios.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Man I get excited every time I see Rasta masta post in this thread

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

We finish one point out of the playoffs in both scenarios.

Completely agree, so why not try and capture the futures vs. not?

Maybe that is the plan though, which makes sense.