2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[FusionX]

Originally Posted by Sec214

At first I thought it someone being doused with water, then I realized it was gas.

Connie being set on fire with loads of people calling about Ras?

[devo22]

Fox-Burns. What a pairing.

[Tbull8]

I like the "burn it to the ground" idea

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Asking players to waive their NMC is not uncommon, so I'm not sure why the Flames would be penalized for this more than any other team. Is it ideal? No, but it's always a two-way street. Kadri signed a 7-year deal with not a ton in the cupboard and some expiring deals upcoming in the organization.

If over the course of a few years a team's trajectory changes, I don't see why that should impact teams' abilities to make moves that reflect that change.

There have been trades in the past that have been announced before the player even waives their NTC. I believe it happened with Kuzmenko coming here.

It is not uncommon at all.

[atb]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I'll go with Kadri stoking the fire/self-sabotage.

Yeah Kadri lit a match and has thrown gas on the fire.

He could have dodged the question on the rumor stuff with a bland response and didn't. If you're a GM interested in Kadri, hearing that quote would probably have you giving Conroy a call to check in.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Asking players to waive their NMC is not uncommon, so I'm not sure why the Flames would be penalized for this more than any other team. Is it ideal? No, but it's always a two-way street. Kadri signed a 7-year deal with not a ton in the cupboard and some expiring deals upcoming in the organization.

If over the course of a few years a team's trajectory changes, I don't see why that should impact teams' abilities to make moves that reflect that change.

How often do you expect that conversation is happening?

My guess is that it is at most a quarterly check in between management and players. They have an end of season meeting, they probably have a start of season meeting and maybe a couple throughout the season, definitely one before the trade deadline.

If you have your start of season meeting with Kadri and he says "no, I won't waive", you probably don't bring it up again until the trade deadline meeting. Maybe you just say "how are things going?" and leave it to him to tell you if anything has changed.

You definitely don't call him up every time a team inquires about him. That would be like having that kid in the back seat saying "are we there yet" every minute.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I think you approach him if the following are both true:
- You have a deal that you are VERY interested in doing
- He has expressed that he is at least open to waiving, including for certain teams.

If on the other hands
- You don't have a deal that is good enough
- Or the player has been clear, in any communications, he has no interest in waiving


Then I don't see the point in bringing it up with him.

In a case like with Kuzy it's very different
- The player was not playing regularly
- He is at the end of his contract

Therefore the team doesn't have to be as worried about the long-term implications of asking him to waive, and the player is probably very open to a change to get a better opportunity.

[Vinny01]

End of the day it would be a lot more interesting if Toronto had some actual assets to part with that makes sense for the Flames. A pick 3 drafts from now is not the prize some fans seem to think it is.

Would Toronto trade their only decent prospect in Cowan for a 35 year old? Flames fans are not overly excited for that piece when Brock Nelson got Ritchie + 1st as a rental.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Unless I missed one, the last three gifs was:
Smoke coming out of the stack
Guy lighting a match
Guy dousing himself with gas

I thought we were going with a message about "where there is smoke there is fire" but the gasoline thing seems to go in a new direction. Unless the next step is to throw the match at the guy covered in gasoline and that is the final step to the trade!

[Niemo]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Can we get some hints? I'm horrible at these GIFs unless it's a GIF of a phone ringing or something.

[Wastedyouth]

My guess is Sec is ready to light himself on fire reading the same tired conversation happening over and over.

I can relate.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Asking players to waive their NMC is not uncommon, so I'm not sure why the Flames would be penalized for this more than any other team. Is it ideal? No, but it's always a two-way street. Kadri signed a 7-year deal with not a ton in the cupboard and some expiring deals upcoming in the organization.

If over the course of a few years a team's trajectory changes, I don't see why that should impact teams' abilities to make moves that reflect that change.

It’s not really the asking to waive that was getting pushed back on which I don’t think anyone on this site knows if it was asked or not. It is the whining that Conroy is dumb because he hasn’t traded Kadri that gets brought up often. If Kadri wants to move then I bet he moves.

[Royle9]

Kadri’s words have effectively rocked most of the “trade Kadri” crowd on here so I’d say his response is working.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Were these people told to "shut up" or were they told he has a NMC, and that you have to be careful in pressuring players that have stated they want to be here and have a NMC because it could affect the existing team and the ability to sign players in the future?

There have been plenty of "he isnt going anywhere so stop talking about it" posts. Which didn't make sense even before these comments.

The Flames missed the playoffs, haven't done much to improve despite cap space and assets, and have traded away several top players. Kadri's view point may have changed.

I also think people are overplaying the reputation card. Players with no trades get moved all of the time and the Flames are rebuilding. Investigating options with your veterans is just part of the job. This isn't Conroy asking for Kadri to waive his NMC. It is him asking if he wants to stick around through a rebuild or of he is open to a move. There is nothing wrong with that.

[Niemo]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Kadri’s words have effectively rocked most of the “trade Kadri” crowd on here so I’d say his response is working.

Hey, Royle. Any idea what Connie is holding out for on Raz? and if we have had meaningful offers or even discussions on the other vets?
Should we expect a Zary extension soon? Any chance it's longer term than we've been hearing?

[HitterD]

Wish I could find the GIF cheatsheet that Sec214 posted a while back. might give some clues

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by kehatch

I also think people are overplaying the reputation card. Players with no trades get moved all of the time and the Flames are rebuilding. Investigating options with your veterans is just part of the job. This isn't Conroy asking for Kadri to waive his NMC. It is him asking if he wants to stick around through a rebuild or of he is open to a move. There is nothing wrong with that.

Why are you assuming those conversations haven’t happened between Kadri and Conroy? I’m guessing they do regularly.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Why are you assuming those conversations haven’t happened between Kadri and Conroy? I’m guessing they do regularly.

Its the opposite. I am assuming these conversations did and do happen. My points are that 1) We are rebuilding so Kadri may not be as set on staying as people think, and 2) Kadri and Conroy talk and Conroy should have a good idea what Kadri wants to do. This shouldn't be positioned as something that damages the relationship or the Flames reputation.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Unless I missed one, the last three gifs was:
Smoke coming out of the stack
Guy lighting a match
Guy dousing himself with gas

I thought we were going with a message about "where there is smoke there is fire" but the gasoline thing seems to go in a new direction. Unless the next step is to throw the match at the guy covered in gasoline and that is the final step to the trade!

Generally you douse with gas first, then light a match, then you get the smoke.

So what it boils down to is everything has gone backwards.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by HitterD

Wish I could find the GIF cheatsheet that Sec214 posted a while back. might give some clues

There was a Gif cheat sheet?!