2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by kehatch

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.

McKenna chances are so low you make that deal IMO

I doubt the Ducks do it unprotected even

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by dino7c

McKenna chances are so low you make that deal IMO

I doubt the Ducks do it unprotected even

The problem is trading or signing top players is one of the last things you do, not the first. If you trade for McTavish your getting a guy 4 years past his draft with 229 games played. His ELC is expired and he is going to get paid. Your starting your window, trading futures, and making additional high picks unlikely. So you better be ready to build a team around him.

Last time the Flames didn't start trading for these types of players until they had several high draft picks and had Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, and several other core players. Even then they had two false starts before drafting Tkachuk and eventually trading for Lindholm and Hanafin.

The Flames should be patient and stop trying to rush the rebuild by desperately trying to find short term fixes. Draft and develop your core, then start looking for these types of moves. Otherwise your just extending the build and condensing your window.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

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

the-rasta-masta is always right.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

So verbeek is a liar ?

Wow, the post you responded to and your answer makes it sound like Verbeek said no young centres ever move. Can you point me to where Verbeek said that? Because if he did I am calling him a liar, it happens every year.

[Sec214]

Originally Posted by memphusk

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

Edit

[5abi]

If anyone is going to claim that kadri is ineffective they are out to lunch. By far the teams most significant forward last year and literally dragged them to 96 points, and they missed the playoffs which has only happened 4 times in history

[traptor]

I dont really get the argument that there's no space for zary. If we brought in a young center we would need space for them too.


Make space!


Play Backlund as a winger or 4th C if you have too, his career is almost over.

Zary has the skillset to be a top 6 center, we need to give him the opportunity to realize it.


There's a reason this organization has trouble finding top 6 centers and it's because we dont develop them properly. The one that we have developed in recent history, Monahan, was given lots of opportunity because there was simply no other option. And what do you know he actually turned out.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by traptor

I dont really get the argument that there's no space for zary. If we brought in a young center we would need space for them too.


Make space!


Play Backlund as a winger or 4th C if you have too, his career is almost over.

Zary has the skillset to be a top 6 center, we need to give him the opportunity to realize it.


There's a reason this organization has trouble finding top 6 centers and it's because we dont develop them properly. The one that we have developed in recent history, Monahan, was given lots of opportunity because there was simply no other option. And what do you know he actually turned out.

I agree. It seems like the best move is to make Backlund the 4th line center - and a good one at that. There would be no problem if a team decided to match up their top lines against a fourth line with Backlund there. Plus he would still get significant minutes on the penalty kill.

Would love to see Zary and Coronato together.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by traptor

I dont really get the argument that there's no space for zary. If we brought in a young center we would need space for them too.


Make space!


Play Backlund as a winger or 4th C if you have too, his career is almost over.

Zary has the skillset to be a top 6 center, we need to give him the opportunity to realize it.


There's a reason this organization has trouble finding top 6 centers and it's because we dont develop them properly. The one that we have developed in recent history, Monahan, was given lots of opportunity because there was simply no other option. And what do you know he actually turned out.

I can't see them moving Backlund or Frost to the wing. I wouldn't mind seeing Kadri moved to the wing, but I think its unlikely.

I agree with the premise. But it will likely require an injury or a move to make space.

[FlamesAddiction]

Are there any fancy stats that show Zary is more effective as a center? The impression I have is that Zary is better and more effective on the wing.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Are there any fancy stats that show Zary is more effective as a center? The impression I have is that Zary is better and more effective on the wing.

From just a glance at game logs from when he had more than a couple faceoffs, it seems pretty similar between center and wing. He’s also the worst at faceoffs of any of the guys who played center for any real stretch.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by kehatch

The problem is trading or signing top players is one of the last things you do, not the first. If you trade for McTavish your getting a guy 4 years past his draft with 229 games played. His ELC is expired and he is going to get paid. Your starting your window, trading futures, and making additional high picks unlikely. So you better be ready to build a team around him.

Last time the Flames didn't start trading for these types of players until they had several high draft picks and had Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, and several other core players. Even then they had two false starts before drafting Tkachuk and eventually trading for Lindholm and Hanafin.

The Flames should be patient and stop trying to rush the rebuild by desperately trying to find short term fixes. Draft and develop your core, then start looking for these types of moves. Otherwise your just extending the build and condensing your window.

The kid is 22 and a top end player...if you can get get him you do it

Anaheim wouldn't do it though because what is likely to be a mid first isn't nearly enough

[dammage79]

Zarys a Center in my mind. Flames really need to commit to developing these players at center.

[Royle9]

Nothing ground breaking or imminent, but I’d put Dallas as the top bidder for Andersson now.

They want him on that 2nd pairing with Harley.
I feel they’re the team to beat at this point.

[aaronkarlpatton]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Nothing ground breaking or imminent, but I’d put Dallas as the top bidder for Andersson now.

They want him on that 2nd pairing with Harley.
I feel they’re the team to beat at this point.

Thisnis great stuff, thank you.

Sent from my SM-G990W2 using Tapatalk

[dammage79]

Rasmus for Robertson.

Do it. Do it now.

[Toonage]

As long as it’s not Vegas I’m thrilled. Relieved. Relaxed.

[dammage79]

I'm starting to believe that this will be Backlunds last season as a Flame. Either through retirement of just riding off to chase a cup somewhere. So really Zary can be used at center or line with Backs for one last year and then take over.

[jayswin]

Fully prepared to not get a significant, young roster player off the Stars in the deal, but I suspect we will talk ourselves into the idea that it's happening. I would imagine their 2027 first (top 10 protected) a decent prospect and some throw in. As most trades are for older star players.

I could see the pick changing to 2nd in 2026 if Conroy doesn't want to wait two years for the first, and then maybe that helps us get someone a little better as the main prospect in the deal. But the Johnston, Robertson stuff is fantasy. Dallas won't do that.

[Demetric]

The fantasy stuff is the point