2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Jiri Hrdina]

OK but you don't know that.
I'm saying if they could get Bischel and 2 2nds instead of Bischel at a first - I think the deal is done.
Your premise is the offers are that close.
I doubt that's the case.

Neither of know of course.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Craig set a price, he’ll get it.
If that’s now before the season, great and it’s my preference.
But surely at the deadline he’ll get a haul too.

Balls in Andersson’s court, it’s a matter of time.

So I take this to mean that CC has a trade agreed to but Andersson needs to extend with the team in question?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

OK but you don't know that.
I'm saying if they could get Bischel and 2 2nds instead of Bischel at a first - I think the deal is done.
Your premise is the offers are that close.
I doubt that's the case.

Neither of know of course.

Yeah I'm pretty sure the Flames mgmt staff has the ability to decide when something is close enough to the asking price to just say yes.

That's down to valuing draft picks, prospects, cap space.

They're not winging it.

They've either not had the offer they're looking for, or had it but ran into Andersson not signing.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah I'm pretty sure the Flames mgmt staff has the ability to decide when something is close enough to the asking price to just say yes.

That's down to valuing draft picks, prospects, cap space.

They're not winging it.

They've either not had the offer they're looking for, or had it but ran into Andersson not signing.

It's like some fans think that management is just sitting around picking their noses for 2 weeks, then when they get an offer, spend just 2 minutes on it, and decide 'this isn't what we asked for - no deal!"

They have a team of people analyzing their perceived value of every player and prospect the other team may be considering. We may not agree with their decision, but to suggest they haven't analyzed the crap out of it, is just naive.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Feels like Conroy overplayed his hand, and the suitors moved on.

What does this mean? Overplayed his hand how?

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah I'm pretty sure the Flames mgmt staff has the ability to decide when something is close enough to the asking price to just say yes.

That's down to valuing draft picks, prospects, cap space.

They're not winging it.

They've either not had the offer they're looking for, or had it but ran into Andersson not signing.

But if it comes down to the offer they are not looking for, I would set an internal deadline to make the deal and take the best offer by then. Too many factors outside of the return that pushes me to make the deal.

The Flames had what 5 UFAs just 2 summers ago. Backlund signed and Toffoli was traded but the Flames didn't budge on the other 3. Rumours of the returns didn't really improve, we did not re-sign any of them either. It does seem like they won't budge in these situations, and the focus is more on the return than the plan.

Ras could have a better year, and the value could go up, but the temptation of signing him goes up and the value of the contract goes up too. Injuries are a big part of the situation too.

Way more pros to move this summer than cons to get all worked up over a lessor return where more times than not, the players and picks you get don't ever make an impact in the league.


I want Bischel for Ras and would love a 1st too. But I don't think any team in the league will beat that offer. If it ends up being Bertucci and a 2nd, that is way less than what I want but it makes sense for me if you pull the trigger this summer rather than wait until the deadline.

[Jiri Hrdina]

So you are saying they should set a deadline and take the best offer no matter what?
So what if the offer is just a 2nd? You make the deal?

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

At this point I'll be surprised if Ras gets traded before the season starts.

If that happens it'll be interesting to see what happens near the TDL if the Flames are in the hunt for a playoff spot again.

That’s what scares me.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

So you are saying they should set a deadline and take the best offer no matter what?
So what if the offer is just a 2nd? You make the deal?

But that won't happen either. I'm sure they have been offered more already and have talked to many teams already that have beat that offer.

Ras stays, he needs to play. 24 mins a night and time on the PP. The gain of having him out for young players is valuable to me. I'm not just looking at the return alone.

Parekh needs to be on the PP and needs 18-20 a night, he is too good for the AHL or OHL.

Weegar gets 24

Bahl could use a bit more ice around 22 mins.

Ras here blocks other player opportunity. Him gone allows the team to explore starting with Kuznetsov and giving him 16-18 mins a night, if he struggles and depending on who is playing well in the AHL, it allows for other players to get a call throughout the season. This asset management/development is just as important as turning that 2nd to a 1st. Dallas 1st will not be in a range that gives you high end odds of hitting on a high-end prospect.

Now also could drive up the value of our own 1st. That is more important than the return for me. If the team plays well without him, more than likely a young player stepped in a played very well.

Ras is durable, but injuries are a factor in this situation. I also don't want to see contract talks restarted because the trade returns aren't as expected. Time to move on.

[Jiri Hrdina]

OK so you do have a minimum price that you think has to be met to make at trade right now. Why would you assume the Flames also don't?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

But if it comes down to the offer they are not looking for, I would set an internal deadline to make the deal and take the best offer by then. Too many factors outside of the return that pushes me to make the deal.

The Flames had what 5 UFAs just 2 summers ago. Backlund signed and Toffoli was traded but the Flames didn't budge on the other 3. Rumours of the returns didn't really improve, we did not re-sign any of them either. It does seem like they won't budge in these situations, and the focus is more on the return than the plan.

Ras could have a better year, and the value could go up, but the temptation of signing him goes up and the value of the contract goes up too. Injuries are a big part of the situation too.

Way more pros to move this summer than cons to get all worked up over a lessor return where more times than not, the players and picks you get don't ever make an impact in the league.


I want Bischel for Ras and would love a 1st too. But I don't think any team in the league will beat that offer. If it ends up being Bertucci and a 2nd, that is way less than what I want but it makes sense for me if you pull the trigger this summer rather than wait until the deadline.

I think NHL mgmt groups have to always assess the market. Is it changing? Is the value for a right shot #3 defenseman not what it was?

If that's the case I still don't set a deadline as you suggest, but I lower my price when circling back to teams.

If the market hasn't changed why give yourself an artificial deadline and hurt your return?

They're also assessing the value of the player now vs September vs December vs the deadline.

To suggest they're not acting on what they think is the best course is silly in my mind.

I think fans that want action concoct false deadlines to get things moving and more to talk about.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

OK so you do have a minimum price that you think has to be met to make at trade right now. Why would you assume the Flames also don't?

I don't have a minimum price as I think that would have already been met. I have a deadline to get the trade done as I don't care that much about the return. I 100% think the Flames have got an offer better than a 2nd and if they got a lessor prospect than a guy like Bischel added to a 2nd and that is the best they can do, I still do it this summer vs waiting until the deadline.

I personally think Bischel should return more than Ras in a trade.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

But that won't happen either. I'm sure they have been offered more already and have talked to many teams already that have beat that offer.

Ras stays, he needs to play. 24 mins a night and time on the PP. The gain of having him out for young players is valuable to me. I'm not just looking at the return alone.

Parekh needs to be on the PP and needs 18-20 a night, he is too good for the AHL or OHL.

Weegar gets 24

Bahl could use a bit more ice around 22 mins.

Ras here blocks other player opportunity. Him gone allows the team to explore starting with Kuznetsov and giving him 16-18 mins a night, if he struggles and depending on who is playing well in the AHL, it allows for other players to get a call throughout the season. This asset management/development is just as important as turning that 2nd to a 1st. Dallas 1st will not be in a range that gives you high end odds of hitting on a high-end prospect.

Now also could drive up the value of our own 1st. That is more important than the return for me. If the team plays well without him, more than likely a young player stepped in a played very well.

Ras is durable, but injuries are a factor in this situation. I also don't want to see contract talks restarted because the trade returns aren't as expected. Time to move on.

Does Parekh only getting 3rd line minutes for 2 or 3 months really hurt anything? Hell, that could well be the case even if Andersson IS traded before the season.

I agree that good young players need to be given a chance, but I think the angst you are generating is unwarranted. I think the Flames should get the best return possible for Andersson, and I doubt the timing of it - whether it's next week or at the trade deadline - has any material impact on Parekh whatsoever. I'm sure they will develop him as they see fit, regardless.

[CliffFletcher]

Given last season, there’s a lot of uncertainty around Andersson’s value - both in the trade market and contract-wise. It sounds like he and his agent aren’t happy with what they’ve heard about his market value, so they want to bet on him turning things around this season.

If he bounces back, that’s great for the Flames and for Andersson’s camp. If he doesn’t, the Flames are going to be disappointed at his trade return and Anderson will be disappointed in his next contract.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I don't have a minimum price as I think that would have already been met. I have a deadline to get the trade done as I don't care that much about the return. I 100% think the Flames have got an offer better than a 2nd and if they got a lessor prospect than a guy like Bischel added to a 2nd and that is the best they can do, I still do it this summer vs waiting until the deadline.

I personally think Bischel should return more than Ras in a trade.

Well that's an assumption.
But you said you wouldn't trade him for a 2nd. So you do have a minimum price. It's more than a 2nd. Perhaps a 2nd and a lesser prospect. Not sure I would do that. So we can disagree on what that price should be. But you still have a minimum price that must be met to make the deal now. Why do you assume the Flames don't? Or do you simply think, based on no real information, that an adequate minimum price has already been met.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think NHL mgmt groups have to always assess the market. Is it changing? Is the value for a right shot #3 defenseman not what it was?

If that's the case I still don't set a deadline as you suggest, but I lower my price when circling back to teams.

If the market hasn't changed why give yourself an artificial deadline and hurt your return?

They're also assessing the value of the player now vs September vs December vs the deadline.

To suggest they're not acting on what they think is the best course is silly in my mind.

I think fans that want action concoct false deadlines to get things moving and more to talk about.

Is it silly? Is a late 1st worth so much more than a 2nd? I have 15 years of data that says that it's about 1-2% better and about 5% chance you get someone that is an impact player vs 3%. I think it is silly to hold out for an extra 1-2%.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Does Parekh only getting 3rd line minutes for 2 or 3 months really hurt anything? Hell, that could well be the case even if Andersson IS traded before the season.

I agree that good young players need to be given a chance, but I think the angst you are generating is unwarranted. I think the Flames should get the best return possible for Andersson, and I doubt the timing of it - whether it's next week or at the trade deadline - has any material impact on Parekh whatsoever. I'm sure they will develop him as they see fit, regardless.

Parekh is on the team IMO. But who else? If Ras is here, Kuznetsov isn't or any of the other young players

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Well that's an assumption.
But you said you wouldn't trade him for a 2nd. So you do have a minimum price. It's more than a 2nd. Perhaps a 2nd and a lesser prospect. Not sure I would do that. So we can disagree on what that price should be. But you still have a minimum price that must be met to make the deal now. Why do you assume the Flames don't? Or do you simply think, based on no real information, that an adequate minimum price has already been met.

But you are also assuming that the Flames will budge on the other if it is less than the asking price even though Royle said the have a price set.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

But you are also assuming that the Flames will budge on the other if it is less than the asking price even though Royle said the have a price set.

I assume they have a price in mind to move him now.
And I assume if they get offers that are close to that price, they discuss and decide if they should take it.
I don't think they are managing it as rigidly as you are suggesting.
Offers come in. They are considered. And they are reacted to.
And if they aren't good enough, they aren't accepted.

Why would it be any different?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Is it silly? Is a late 1st worth so much more than a 2nd? I have 15 years of data that says that it's about 1-2% better and about 5% chance you get someone that is an impact player vs 3%. I think it is silly to hold out for an extra 1-2%.

Why do you think they are holding out for an extra 1-2%?

I also think there's a big difference between a late 1st v. early 2nd v. a late 1st v. late 2nd.