2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Ped

They moved on from Stankoven for Mikko Rantanen. Is Andersson the Rantanen of blueliners?

No but Bourque ain’t Stankoven either.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Ped

They moved on from Stankoven for Mikko Rantanen. Is Andersson the Rantanen of blueliners?

Rantanen is more valuable than Andersson IMO but Stankoven is also more valuable than Bourque.

[Roof-Daddy]

If Conroy was after Hague from Vegas, he would certainly be happy with Bichsel, who is in all likelihood a bigger, better, younger (and for now, cheaper) version of Hague.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Toonage

They moved on from Stankoven, don’t see why Bourque is untouchable.

Yeah, I don't think Bourque is untouchable by any means. It's probably similar to what Pelletier's value was for us last season. He's a guy that you want to keep around to fully see what you might have, but not someone you don't trade if you think you can make the team better.

[Roof-Daddy]

Does Bourque actually play center?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Does Bourque actually play center?

I'm not sure if he plays there full-time, but he has definitely played C in the NHL.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

If Conroy was after Hague from Vegas, he would certainly be happy with Bichsel, who is in all likelihood a bigger, better, younger (and for now, cheaper) version of Hague.

I haven’t heard/seen any rumours around a Andersson-Bichsel swap, but I’d be all over that trade. I initially didn’t think Bichsel brought NHL mobility, but watching him in the playoffs this year I would be ecstatic if he joined Bahl in giving the future Flames some beef to give Wolf the space to do his thing.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I'm not sure if he plays there full-time, but he has definitely played C in the NHL.

He took 348 draws over 74 games last year winning 161 of them for a 46.3 win percentage and averaged 4.7 a game which tracks for a 4th line center. I think Bourque would flourish in Calgary and is exactly a guy we should be targeting. Could be why the dance is taking a little longer, CC is sticking to his guns on this one.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

He took 348 draws over 74 games last year winning 161 of them for a 46.3 win percentage and averaged 4.7 a game which tracks for a 4th line center. I think Bourque would flourish in Calgary and is exactly a guy we should be targeting. Could be why the dance is taking a little longer, CC is sticking to his guns on this one.

If Bourque is coming back our way, we are probably adding. And maybe that’s where Popisil comes into play as they sub a roster player for one of ours.

And I don’t think you can say Bischel and Hague are comparables. Way much more upside for Bischel.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

If Bourque is coming back our way, we are probably adding. And maybe that’s where Popisil comes into play as they sub a roster player for one of ours.

And I don’t think you can say Bischel and Hague are comparables. Way much more upside for Bischel.

I wouldn't think that getting Bourque means we have to add. If it's true that there are several teams vying for Andersson's services, then the onus is on Dallas to offer the best package.

I would love to get Bichsel, but I don't see Dallas letting him go.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

If Bourque is coming back our way, we are probably adding. And maybe that’s where Popisil comes into play as they sub a roster player for one of ours.

And I don’t think you can say Bischel and Hague are comparables. Way much more upside for Bischel.

We’re adding? That’s an odd take.

Not too often you’ll see someone think one of the top 30-40 defencemen in the league isn’t enough to snag a Pelletier-level prospect on his own.

[Heavy Jack]

You’d have to think there is a ton of value in a retained and extended Andersson, a retained Coleman as mentioned earlier added in and that is quite a decision for Dallas to ponder, their window is now and those are two massive team guy additions with Coleman being a local product with cup pedigree. Lots to consider here and I’m actually appreciative of the patience Conny is showing here, so many teams haven’t moved the needle yet while only a couple teams in the contenders category did, lots of time for teams to try and capitalize and the Flames are in a perfect spot.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

You’d have to think there is a ton of value in a retained and extended Andersson, a retained Coleman as mentioned earlier added in and that is quite a decision for Dallas to ponder, their window is now and those a two massive team guy additions with Coleman being a local product with cup pedigree. Lots to consider here and I’m actually appreciative of the patience Conny is showing here, so many teams having moved the needle while only a couple teams in the contenders category did, lots of time for teams to try and capitalize and the Flames are in a perfect spot.

They have a lot of good pieces but really could benefit from loading up this year as best they can. Could be a cup favourite.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

We’re adding? That’s an odd take.

Not too often you’ll see someone think one of the top 30-40 defencemen in the league isn’t enough to snag a Pelletier-level prospect on his own.

I meant if you sub out Emming or Bertucci and put Bourque in place. Not Andersson for Bourque as one for one.

Ie. Bourque plus first plus one of Bertucci/emming for Andersson/popisil.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I really like the Sharks and Red Wings as trade partners- plenty of good, young assets in their pipelines.

I am really hoping that the Sharks come through as a dark horse winner of the bidding war.

They definitely have the best assets to offer - They can easily beat a contender "win now" offer based on what people are throwing around here.
They have a huge need to add a #1RD to legitimize their D group as competitive this year and in the future.
With the talent they have amassed over their long rebuild, they should feel confident that they can convince him to extend to be a part of their contention years that they are on the verge of.

He might not sign right away but after skating with Celebrini, Smith, Eklund, etc. that may be enough to get him to extend.... along with a big pile of money spread out over 8 years.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Wolven

I am really hoping that the Sharks come through as a dark horse winner of the bidding war.

They definitely have the best assets to offer - They can easily beat a contender "win now" offer based on what people are throwing around here.
They have a huge need to add a #1RD to legitimize their D group as competitive this year and in the future.
With the talent they have amassed over their long rebuild, they should feel confident that they can convince him to extend to be a part of their contention years that they are on the verge of.

He might not sign right away but after skating with Celebrini, Smith, Eklund, etc. that may be enough to get him to extend.... along with a big pile of money spread out over 8 years.

The Sharks have a deep supply of youngsters they could potentially part with in a trade, if Andersson could be persuaded that team might be a contender in a few years with the right veterans to help them along.

RHC Cole McKinney: Freshly drafted, he's a physical two-way C who looks a touch like like Sam Bennett at times, stylistically.

LD Haoxi Wang: Another new edition to the Sharks' pipeline, he's a 6'6" defenseman with a smooth skating stride, but is quite raw with big potential.

LHC Filip Bystedt: Big C (6'3",210lbs) who does a little bit of everything, and plays a power-forward style.

RD Jack Thompson: 23 year-old (6'1",190lbs) who has put up excellent numbers in junior, and in the AHL. Doubt they would entertain parting with this kid.

LD Leo Sallin-Wellenius: Drafted in the second round last year, he's a smooth-skating, two-way defender, measuring 6'0",183lbs.

RW Carson Wetsch: Rugged, swift-skating power-winger, put up 52 points in 68 games with the Hitmen this season, but had 33 goals.

RD Colton Roberts: I was a big fan of his in his draft year last summer- he's now 6'4",201lbs, and skates very well. He can defend, play a mean physical game (84 PIM), move the puck, and contribute in the offensive zone. Love this kid.

RW/C Colin Graf: Signed last year out of college, he's done well as a pro- 35 points in 40 AHL games, and 11 points in 33 games with the big club. He's a 6'1",194lb playmaker, and only 22 years old.

W Kasper Halttunen: 20 years old, and 6'4",205lbs, he's a goal-scoring righty that was drafted in the second round in 2023. Heavy shot, and plays a physical power game, put up 15 goals and 21 points in 17 playoff games for the London Knights.

RW/C Ethan Cardwell: 22 years old, he's a 5'11",181lb winger who works hard, and displays endless motor. 48 points in 63 AHL games this year.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

The Sharks have a deep supply of youngsters they could potentially part with in a trade, if Andersson could be persuaded that team might be a contender in a few years with the right veterans to help them along.

RHC Cole McKinney: Freshly drafted, he's a physical two-way C who looks a touch like like Sam Bennett at times, stylistically.

LD Haoxi Wang: Another new edition to the Sharks' pipeline, he's a 6'6" defenseman with a smooth skating stride, but is quite raw with big potential.

LHC Filip Bystedt: Big C (6'3",210lbs) who does a little bit of everything, and plays a power-forward style.

RD Jack Thompson: 23 year-old (6'1",190lbs) who has put up excellent numbers in junior, and in the AHL. Doubt they would entertain parting with this kid.

LD Leo Sallin-Wellenius: Drafted in the second round last year, he's a smooth-skating, two-way defender, measuring 6'0",183lbs.

RW Carson Wetsch: Rugged, swift-skating power-winger, put up 52 points in 68 games with the Hitmen this season, but had 33 goals.

RD Colton Roberts: I was a big fan of his in his draft year last summer- he's now 6'4",201lbs, and skates very well. He can defend, play a mean physical game (84 PIM), move the puck, and contribute in the offensive zone. Love this kid.

RW/C Colin Graf: Signed last year out of college, he's done well as a pro- 35 points in 40 AHL games, and 11 points in 33 games with the big club. He's a 6'1",194lb playmaker, and only 22 years old.

W Kasper Halttunen: 20 years old, and 6'4",205lbs, he's a goal-scoring righty that was drafted in the second round in 2023. Heavy shot, and plays a physical power game, put up 15 goals and 21 points in 17 playoff games for the London Knights.

RW/C Ethan Cardwell: 22 years old, he's a 5'11",181lb winger who works hard, and displays endless motor. 48 points in 63 AHL games this year.

More than a few names on that list that if they ended up coming back in a trade i would be pretty happy.
I have said a few times that they are a dark horse for a trade. They have the assets, and more imprortantly the motivation.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Bischel+Bourque+2nd for Andersson+Pospisil

Yeah, totally man. Definitely a reasonable return, lol.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Does Bourque actually play center?

Originally Posted by Sandman

I'm not sure if he plays there full-time, but he has definitely played C in the NHL.

Last season, Bourque was used as a C for 50.1%, RW for 34.3%, and LW for 15.6% of the time.

PS: I recently came across a great resource for checking just how much a player played in any given position. I use capwages. You can hover any of the positions listed, and it gives the amount of time a player played there.

Here's a screenshot for reference:

Spoiler!

[Sandman]

Excellent info, gvitaly! Thanks!