2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Demetric]

Originally Posted by JTech780

So Backlund, who averaged the 3rd most ice time amongst forwards last year is now a 4th line center? That’s not happening. Kadri, Backlund and Frost are locks as top 9 centers. So if Zary wants to play center he will end up being the 4th line center playing around 10 mins a night. That’s not happening either so he will play wing where he is best suited.

Yes, Backlund as 4th line center so can see what we have in Zary as he is part of the future where Backlund is not

[traptor]

Backlund is the better option you have, but only for now.

How long will that be true? Another year or two at max.
Kadri's not far behind.

It's succession planning. They need to atleast try and develop Zary as center.


The Flames don't really have a true "top 9" anyways, so be a 4 line balanced team. Try to roll all lines ATOI ~15min. Some nights certain lines will get more because they'll be playing better.

Backlund will make time up on the PK and Zary can make it up on the PP.


something like:


Huberdeau - Kadri - Klapka
Pospisil - Zary - Coronato
Lomberg - Backlund - Coleman
Sharangovvich - Frost - Farabee

[Bonded]

Backlund will have to decide on chasing a cup or Flames legacy. It will be interesting to see which way he goes. No way the Flames trade him if he wants to stay

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Backlund will have to decide on chasing a cup or Flames legacy. It will be interesting to see which way he goes. No way the Flames trade him if he wants to stay

I hope he goes after a cup.

I won't speak to his internal motivations but I think it's better for everyone involved. Who knows though, maybe he just doesn't want to move his family.

The Flames free up that center ice time to try and develop a guy like Zary there. I think Backlund would fetch a nice return at the deadline from a contender.


For Backlund I think he could play a huge role for a team looking to go deep. It would be nice to see him get a chance to go on a run for the cup again.


I guess i'm just not too sentimental about guys having to play their entire career for one org. It's cool if they get a chance to be competitive the entire time, but I think it would be meaningful to see Backlund go on a run rather then have his career wiff out here without another serious chance.

Backlund giving us a good return and then going on a run would be the perfect way to wrap up his NHL career from my perspective.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by traptor

I hope he goes after a cup.

I won't speak to his internal motivations but I think it's better for everyone involved. Who knows though, maybe he just doesn't want to move his family.

The Flames free up that center ice time to try and develop a guy like Zary there. I think Backlund would fetch a nice return at the deadline from a contender.

For Backlund I think he could play a huge role for a team looking to go deep. It would be nice to see him get a chance to go on a run for the cup again.

I guess i'm just not too sentimental about guys having to play their entire career for one org. It's cool if they get a chance to be competitive the entire time, but I think it would be meaningful to see Backlund go on a run rather then have his career wiff out here without another serious chance.

I think it’s an interesting choice for him. He can definitely take out the most games played with the franchise and that is a pretty neat milestone for a player and is basically guaranteed. Chasing a cup win definitely isn’t. I also think keeping vets is overrated but if there is one I think Backlund is one of them to keep. Overcame a lot in his early career and locked in on the defensive side of the game.

[Geeoff]

TBH I like idea of keeping Backlund. He plays the game "the right way" which would be nice to pass on to the kids and was drafted by the Flames, so it would be nice to keep him and trade Kadri if that opens up a spot at C for Zary.

[Otto-matic]

I think Backs stays until the end of his career with the Flames.

His kids are probably the age of entering the school system and moving them around year after year probably isn't in the cards. Also chasing a cup is such a crapshoot now that he probably won't end up on a winning team. Just like Iggy did in Pits,Boston.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think Backlund will stay here, break the all-time GP record with the Flames, continuing adding to that record, and just retire a Flame when he is ready. I expect a couple of 1 year contracts after this one is up.


Backlund has always been a great soldier for the Flames - took tough love, and took tough assignments, and he never complains. He has always been willing to do whatever it takes to help this team win. There is one single player on this roster that I will always accommodate to whatever he wants.


If he wants to chase a cup, and sees one team that he wants to join, I would be 100% ok with the Flames making sure that he gets onto that team, asset management be damned. I wouldn't be ok with anyone else being treated this way. Backlund is a special player to this organization. It will be his choice to retire a Flame or not, and I have no problem with him staying on his team even past his due simply because he is a great example for the rest of the kids. He can retire when he is ready. Obviously as stated - one year contracts - but he gets to go out on his terms given his loyalty here.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

I think Backs stays until the end of his career with the Flames.

His kids are probably the age of entering the school system and moving them around year after year probably isn't in the cards. Also chasing a cup is such a crapshoot now that he probably won't end up on a winning team. Just like Iggy did in Pits,Boston.

Plus, Backlund is no longer a super productive player, so the return maybe like a 2nd and a B-prospect? Perhaps more value in leading by example with his 200-foot play

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Wolven

That's why I want to see a few games of Kuznetsov with Weegar, hopefully the whole season. I think Kuznetsov can be a legitimate top 4 D and I would hope that Weegar can help him get there faster with Weegar's super power of lifting up his partner.

A year of development of Kuznetsov into a NHLer would be a big boon for the Flames as opposed to watching Hanley hang with Weegar.

Also, I haven't been the biggest fan of Bean, but if he could take that next step it would be quite the delight. He was drafted 13OA and just never seemed to live up to his draft pedigree. However, if it comes down to a choice between them, I'd rather see Kuznetsov come up through the ranks.

I really like Kuznetsov as well especially when you consider his size and the growth of his game at the AHL level. That said, I don't see Huska trusting him with top 4 minutes this season. It also seems like it would be setting him up for failure. I hope he manages to secure a spot on the 3rd pairing, or that at least we don't lose him to waivers. The fight for roster spots on D is going to be very interesting come training camp, especially if Andersson gets traded.

As far as Bean goes, I doubt the organization is very high on him because of the Lindgren rumors in free agency, and the fact that the Flames re-signed Hanley. That's why I think they mostly see him as a bottom pairing guy.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Nothing.
Ever.
Happens.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by traptor

Backlund is the better option you have, but only for now.

How long will that be true? Another year or two at max.
Kadri's not far behind.

It's succession planning. They need to atleast try and develop Zary as center.


The Flames don't really have a true "top 9" anyways, so be a 4 line balanced team. Try to roll all lines ATOI ~15min. Some nights certain lines will get more because they'll be playing better.

Backlund will make time up on the PK and Zary can make it up on the PP.


something like:


Huberdeau - Kadri - Klapka
Pospisil - Zary - Coronato
Lomberg - Backlund - Coleman
Sharangovvich - Frost - Farabee

I think you can build a future by playing players where they are supposed to play by merit until they no longer deserve it.

Let the Frosts and Zarys learn.

Backlund will slow up soon enough, but there is zero point in making your team ####ty by trying to play the top two lines on every team without a true defensive center to counteract them.

You need minutes for Kadri (more than 15). You need minutes for your shut down guy (more than 15).

I mean if they just give up and roll four lines I know that would make some people happy but I can't see it.

[Vinny01]

Hypothetically would any of you be interested in a Zary+ for Rossi swap? If so what + would you be willing to include? This assumes the Flames are willing to go 7x7 with Rossiso factor that into your decision

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Hypothetically would any of you be interested in a Zary+ for Rossi swap? If so what + would you be willing to include? This assumes the Flames are willing to go 7x7 with Rossiso factor that into your decision

Zary + Poirier.

Poirier is my new guy to include in every deal.

Would also do Zary + Pospisil.

I would also do Zary + Mews but I want a pick back from the Wild in that case.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think you can build a future by playing players where they are supposed to play by merit until they no longer deserve it.

Let the Frosts and Zarys learn.

Backlund will slow up soon enough, but there is zero point in making your team ####ty by trying to play the top two lines on every team without a true defensive center to counteract them.

You need minutes for Kadri (more than 15). You need minutes for your shut down guy (more than 15).

I mean if they just give up and roll four lines I know that would make some people happy but I can't see it.

If you look at the ATOI from last season, they're actually not that far off:

Nazem Kadri – 16:21

Mikael Backlund – 14:39

Connor Zary – 13:54

Morgan Frost – 13:39

As Backlund and Kadri inevitably slow down, you'd expect those numbers to shift based on merit.

But it's not a light switch. You can’t play Zary on the wing or give him 10 sheltered minutes a night, then suddenly expect him to be ready to jump into a top-six center role when Backlund is done.

He needs reps and responsibility now, gradually easing him in is the only way it works long-term.


And the icetime based strictly on play-merit is BS. There's going to be players and prospects that get more icetime and leeway based on where they were drafted or what their contract is. That's just how it is.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think you can build a future by playing players where they are supposed to play by merit until they no longer deserve it.

Let the Frosts and Zarys learn.

Backlund will slow up soon enough, but there is zero point in making your team ####ty by trying to play the top two lines on every team without a true defensive center to counteract them.

You need minutes for Kadri (more than 15). You need minutes for your shut down guy (more than 15).

I mean if they just give up and roll four lines I know that would make some people happy but I can't see it.

Why does it have to be giving up? I think there is a roster construction that would allow you to roll 4 lines without really hurting you offensively or defensively.

With how this roster is built they don't have a true First line, and they don't have a true 4th line. They have 11 NHL forwards that are probably more ideally middle 6 forwards right now, and then a lot of talented wingers in the system.

I think you could build 2 more offensive lines that get more the offensive starts and minutes, and 2 more defensive lines that you are comfortable more in those match up situations. And distribute the minutes accordingly.

More Offensive Focused lines:

Huberdeau - Kadri - Coronato
Sharangovich - Zary - ????

More Defensive Responsible Lines:

Coleman - Backlund - Klapka
Farabee - Frost - Pospisil

Flames don't have any forward on this roster that needs to be penciled in to play 15+ minutes a game at 5v5 every single night.

All 4 lines on this roster could easily play 12-14 minutes at 5v5 per night and it could be determined by who is going the best that night, and if that's Kadri more often than not he'd be in that 14 minute range.

14-12-12-12 is how you could allocate your ice time at 5v5 if you really need more for Kadri and it's not far off from last year.

Kadri: 15:06 > 14
Backlund: 13:49 > 12
Zary: 13:16 > 12
Frost: 12:47 > 12

Don't think that would be giving up at all.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Backlund will have to decide on chasing a cup or Flames legacy. It will be interesting to see which way he goes. No way the Flames trade him if he wants to stay

Why not both? He can be our Lanny during our next Cup winning run.

Can barely skate and healthy scratched for most of it. But will score the game winning goal in the deciding game!

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Zary + Poirier.

Poirier is my new guy to include in every deal.

Would also do Zary + Pospisil.

I would also do Zary + Mews but I want a pick back from the Wild in that case.

How interested are the Wild who have Fabor and Buiim, plus traded a reasonable package to land Jiricek in getting more prospects on defence?

I do think the departed was onto something when he suggested that if the Wild move out Rossi, anything added to the package might have to be more high potential future based to set them up to go get a better center. Mews is the closest thing there, but to me Poirier is a guy you get back in a deadline trade where you send out your UFA and ask for a pick and prospect. Pospisil is a guy teams might have interest in, but I don't know if they really value what he offers that much. The Wild have depth, it's top end to go with Kaprizov and Boldy that they ultimately have their eye on.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

We have not made any bad moves at least. It is an improvement.

But yes, Andersson, Kadri, and Coleman would all be the next to go if it was up to me. They are all good players, just their timelines do not add up with the timeline I believe it will take for us to be competitive.

All 3 will never have a higher value than now. You can argue possibly at the deadline, but there is risk of injury, and risk of us over achieving with them, and turning what should be a top 5 pick into a top 15.

If the Flames are rebuilding, is this their primary concern, or should they just set a reasonable p try ice and move the vets out? ‘Maximizing value’ seems like it’s at odds with selling assets to rebuild.


Just trying to understand the perspective here.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think you can build a future by playing players where they are supposed to play by merit until they no longer deserve it.

Let the Frosts and Zarys learn.

Backlund will slow up soon enough, but there is zero point in making your team ####ty by trying to play the top two lines on every team without a true defensive center to counteract them.

You need minutes for Kadri (more than 15). You need minutes for your shut down guy (more than 15).

I mean if they just give up and roll four lines I know that would make some people happy but I can't see it.

It's like we are playing PlayStation when people suggest that we do this.

Kadri is not going to be happy with 15 a night and his value will plummet as his production does.

Huska is the coach, and he is trying to win games. He is not sitting Backlund against McDavid types in a close game. Only thing he can do is take Backlund off the PP. The rest of his ice he deserves.

Young players are not committing long term deals with this franchise for 15 minutes a night. Frost lost minutes coming here, signed 2 years. Zary has not signed, and his minutes dropped after the Frost trade. It is possible that Zary does not want to commit long term with the Flames this off season due to concerns over his ice time.

The log jam at forward looks good on paper, but with no top end and too many quality players. Odds are the flames struggle to win with the lack of top end and at the same time players will be unhappy due to lack of opportunity.

Good teams are forced to move players due to cap issues, but if they draft well, they often gain. The Stars were brought up having guys like Bourque and Bischel. The are forced to play them more with Marchment, Granlund, Dadonov, Dumba out. They are forced due to lack of cap. But if you draft well and trust your farm system, you will gain in the long run trusting these kids.

Just because the Flames aren't forced into this situation due to cap, doesn't mean there is no issues. If they don't address the forward situation and stay healthy as a team, someone will get lost in the shuffle due to lack of ice or lack of deserved call ups. This impacts contract talks in the future.

I think this is why Conroy is looking at defense as Ras out and forwards out for a younger replacement evens out the ice time issues. The Flames have some D that deserve to be in the NHL over AHL, but year 1 those guys usually will take a spot on the team even if it is 3rd pair with games in the press box. They are gaining valuable experience and a much better pay cheque.

Flames have too many forwards that just don't deserve a 4th line role and are proven enough to be upset if they are the player that gets lost in the shuffle.