2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

So you are pro tear it down to the studs? Just slowly? Because these are the moves the "pro-tank" team is asking for and getting called pro-tank and tear to the studs.

This is where i get very confused. People say they aren't pro tank/tear it down but then are pro trade all the guys who make up our core. Just do it slowly/over multiple seasons.

This is where i can't see the why, except fear of the team culture. (which is fine if that's the reason, i think its just a reason more based in fear of "becoming Buffalo" "

These are old players we are discussing. They can drop off a cliff at any time. So keeping them (Even for last year) in a lose/lose to me

They perform well and hold their value - teams does better - team gets mid pick (or like last year loses a top 10 protected 1st for a 32 overall)

They perform poorly because age catches up to them, team does poorly and gets a better pick, but their value is lower?

I guess we could have a situation where they play great, Wolf stinks, and we have a bad record and they hold their value. But thats not a good outcome either.

So other then some definition of 'culture' that is impossible to truly define either way, what was the benefit of keeping these guys last year, this year, etc if we know they don't have a place on the team even medium term? But agree they should all be traded ?

I fail to see any benefit that is worth the multiple risks unless we think we are making the playoffs - But then you dont trade them at all...

I am pro tear down and would be fine with a Kadri and even a Weegar trade but I also just accept that the players have trade protection so I don’t see the point of continually whinging about how they haven’t been traded yet. If they want out then I think they’ll be traded.

I also think that the Flames are in a rebuild that they called a retool in the media and their actions have mostly spoken to that. Even the Frost/Farabee trade is more of an asset management move then a competitive move imo.

[SuperMatt18]

The way I look at the tear down...is that this offseason is the real first time I'm a bit frustrated with the lack of moves.

23-24 Season: Toffoli, Lindholm, Hanifin, Tanev, Zadorov - good start to the tear down, moved all the pieces you'd want them to move.

24-25 Season: Markstrom, Mangiapane - moved the two key pieces, could have moved Andersson but also understand why maybe you wouldn't when Weegar and Andersson were you're only bonafide top 4 dmen going into the season.

25-26 Season: Of the remaining veterans I think Andersson and Coleman should have been traded this offseason for sure, preferably they would have been moved at the draft, but still time between now and the trade deadline at least.

Huberdeau, Weegar, Backlund...these are probably the 3 veterans I'd keep. Huberdeau is tough to move. Weegar is a great leader for the rebuild on defence. Backlund it comes down to his own choice but I think he's made the choice to stay her longer term.

Kadri really is the one that's tougher to gauge...and it really comes down to his NTC for him, so really that window doesn't truly open until next offseason when his NMC becomes less prohibitive.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The way I look at the tear down...is that this offseason is the real first time I'm a bit frustrated with the lack of moves.

23-24 Season: Toffoli, Lindholm, Hanifin, Tanev, Zadorov - good start to the tear down, moved all the pieces you'd want them to move.

24-25 Season: Markstrom, Mangiapane - moved the two key pieces, could have moved Andersson but also understand why maybe you wouldn't when Weegar and Andersson were you're only bonafide top 4 dmen going into the season.

25-26 Season: Of the remaining veterans I think Andersson and Coleman should have been traded this offseason for sure, preferably they would have been moved at the draft, but still time between now and the trade deadline at least.

Huberdeau, Weegar, Backlund...these are probably the 3 veterans I'd keep.

Kadri...it really comes down to his NTC for him, so really that window doesn't truly open until next offseason.

Basically, how I feel. But the off season isn't over. I'll be happy with even one trade.

If nothing happens until the season starts, hopefully we have a good trade deadline. But just feel that is too risky right now and really hope for a couple rookies this year vs just Parekh...even though he will be the most exciting to watch.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Basically, how I feel. But the off season isn't over. I'll be happy with even one trade.

If nothing happens until the season starts, hopefully we have a good trade deadline. But just feel that is too risky right now and really hope for a couple rookies this year vs just Parekh...even though he will be the most exciting to watch.

Who are the others you think may be ready?
Here are mine:
- I think Brz could be ready now, but also won't be harmed by starting the season on the farm. When Rasmus is traded, that's when he is up.
- I could see one of Kuz/Soloyov being on the team in a 7/8 role. Miro waived.
- Poirier I just don't see a fit for.
- Up front, I see less candidates. Morton could push for a 4th line role, but will have to displace Kirkland (which honestly is not as hard as others may see it). Kerins will have to push his way on to the team, or have a helluva camp. I think the more interesting forwards (Gridin, Bash, etc) need time in the AHL. Basha missed too much time, and Gridin is coming from the Q which is a massive jump even to the AHL.

Anyone else I'm missing?

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The way I look at the tear down...is that this offseason is the real first time I'm a bit frustrated with the lack of moves.

25-26 Season: Of the remaining veterans I think Andersson and Coleman should have been traded this offseason for sure, preferably they would have been moved at the draft, but still time between now and the trade deadline at least
.

Andersson is the only one I am annoyed with. I think they should have traded him last offseason but I can get my head around the idea that Conroy thought he’d get more at the deadline and had no expectations that they would be close to the playoffs.

Coleman should get more at the deadline and won’t make a meaningful impact on the standings imo.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You need 3 key pieces to be a consistent contender for a SC. You need a consistent good goalie, you need a true #1 D man, and you need a #1 centre. The Flames have a young elite goalie and at worst an elite #1 D man who might just end up generational in Wolf and Parekh. The Flames have an excellent prospect pool of good young wingers and d men. The only piece this team needs is an impact #1 C. That's it. They don't need to tear it down to the studs, they don't need 10 years of drafting in the top 5, they need one young impact centre. Getting that player without finishing bottom 5 and drafting him is the tricky part and I just don't see this roster being that bad anytime soon. So you need to wait for a chance to parlay those many prospects and picks into that player. It is the only realistic way it's happening.

This is my position as well- I posted something similar a few days ago. We’re not as far away from a complete rebuild as some believe IMO. That young #1C still eludes us. I believe we have enough talent in the pipeline to potentially fill every position, on every line, and each pairing in the coming years- we’re just bridging the gap right now.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Anyone else I'm missing?

Maybe Honzek is one of those rare players who can push into the NHL quicker than stats should suggest. I was shocked last season by him.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Sandman

This is my position as well- I posted something similar a few days ago. We’re not as far away from a complete rebuild as some believe IMO. That young #1C still eludes us. I believe we have enough talent in the pipeline to potentially fill every position, on every line, and each pairing in the coming years- we’re just bridging the gap right now.

I see depth, but aside from Parekh, I don’t think we have the game breakers in the system yet.

A couple more drafts with some top 10 picks sprinkled in (including the prized C’s) and I’d be in agreement.

[Wastedyouth]

Oh boy, this merry go round just never stops!

[Sandman]

I also like the fact that Conroy has filled out the team with players in every age group to help bridge the gap. In a few years, the Frost’s, Bahl’s, and Farabee’s will be the grizzled vets, and Coronato, Wolf, and Zary will be in their prime. At that time, players like Reschny, Gridin, and Battaglia will be starting to make a serious dent.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I see depth, but aside from Parekh, I don’t think we have the game breakers in the system yet.

A couple more drafts with some top 10 picks sprinkled in (including the prized C’s) and I’d be in agreement.

We may have to agree to disagree here, but I think many are underestimating some of our prospects. Guys like Basha, Gridin, and Battaglia could easily be first-line wingers in waiting, and there are a few young D with top-pairing potential IMO. Just need a top-line C, which is much easier said than done.

[Jiri Hrdina]

The best hope Rory Kerins has to make this team is probably that Zary isn't signed for camp. And then he needs to show up with the intent to take that job.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I see depth, but aside from Parekh, I don’t think we have the game breakers in the system yet.

A couple more drafts with some top 10 picks sprinkled in (including the prized C’s) and I’d be in agreement.

Flames are definitely lacking a projectable #1C but maybe they have a Point or Johnston in the system already.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Sandman

We may have to agree to disagree here, but I think many are underestimating some of our prospects. Guys like Basha, Gridin, and Battaglia could easily be first-line wingers in waiting, and there are a few young D with top-pairing potential IMO. Just need a top-line C, which is much easier said than done.

Fair enough. Who am I to argue with the draft expert.

We may have some hidden gems in there, and great if there are some that profile better than their draft slots.

We can all agree, finding the top C is the priority and everything else would feel a lot closer with one in the system.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

As for the mushy middle, just because the Flames finished at 96 points last season, doesn't mean they don't take a step back this year. There are a lot of things that could go wrong, or just not as well.

I still think this team naturally finds itself in a position for higher picks. I thought they were a bottom 5 team last season (was wrong), but there is a lot of year over year variability for teams like this in the NHL.

Bottom 5 is not out of the question for me.

I think it comes down to goaltending. Last season, Wolf started 53 games and Vladar started 29. I think the numbers will be similar next year, but Wolf will likely face tougher opponents.

The games against the top teams were pretty evenly split last season, but I expect Wolf will get a much higher percentage of those games next year and the backup will get more games against the lower-level teams.


I don't think it even requires Wolf to have a sophomore slump or anything, just tougher opponents. Combine that with a backup who is less proven than Vladar, and I don't think a 20 point drop in the standings is out of the question, which would put them in top-5 pick territory.

[Rhett44]

I want to caution people saying we have at worst an elite #1dman and goalie...

Dustin Wolf absolutey has all the tools to be an elite goalie. He had an amazing year. However, it is just one year and I want to see him do it over a few year period before claiming he is elite. And I say that as a huge Wolf fan.

Also, Parekh has played one NHL game. I have watched in person about 10 of his games and the potential is absolutely crazy. However, the NHL is a step above what he has been playing. We are all hoping he becomes an elite 1st pairing guy, but there is no guarantee.

I just think setting your expectations up that high can lead to a lot of disappointment. If both these things work out, we absolutely are at a position closer to being a contender than we were. But these are not guarantees.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I also like the fact that Conroy has filled out the team with players in every age group to help bridge the gap. In a few years, the Frost’s, Bahl’s, and Farabee’s will be the grizzled vets, and Coronato, Wolf, and Zary will be in their prime. At that time, players like Reschny, Gridin, and Battaglia will be starting to make a serious dent.

This is where my head is at... the depth of quality prospects at this point is better than it's been for the Flames since the 80s, which means the long term competitive outlook for the team is really high, and they'll only add to it over the next couple of drafts.

They also have developed a good reputation with players around the league and with the new arena coming, Calgary will be a more attractive destination for top free agents, especially as the team gets stronger.

I'm also less concerned about the 1C, as although they're far from a lock, I really like the potential in Zary and Reschny especially, as well as Potter and Misa to possibly fill that role in a few years--or someone else drafted or brought in in the next couple of years.

Not sure why anyone is really bothered by the path the team is on... maybe if the team is a tire fire this season, we can get a little nutty, but at this point, they have a really strong base.

[PepsiFree]

Yeah, while it’s true we need a 1C, it’s possible we’ve already drafted him. It’s also possible we’ll draft him in the next couple drafts without ever being as bad as people think we need to be.

Not something to fret about not having when we don’t even know what we do have yet.

[Rutuu]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

I want to caution people saying we have at worst an elite #1dman and goalie...

Dustin Wolf absolutey has all the tools to be an elite goalie. He had an amazing year. However, it is just one year and I want to see him do it over a few year period before claiming he is elite. And I say that as a huge Wolf fan.

Also, Parekh has played one NHL game. I have watched in person about 10 of his games and the potential is absolutely crazy. However, the NHL is a step above what he has been playing. We are all hoping he becomes an elite 1st pairing guy, but there is no guarantee.

I just think setting your expectations up that high can lead to a lot of disappointment. If both these things work out, we absolutely are at a position closer to being a contender than we were. But these are not guarantees.

For Parekh I'm hoping for a 50pt+ season...while being a minus player.

For Wolf I'm looking at a 0.905 sv% with a GAA of 3+ as a successful season.

Both of those things line up the Flames for a middle of the pack finish.

We'll also see growth from some of the young guys, offset by some step backs in our 32yr+ players.

Another year of "what are we" story lines from outside Calgary, and from inside Calgary "we turned over X amount of the roster", and "rebuilds don't always work" story lines from the die hards.

Tough sell to young fans in the market, and an impossible sell to those outside of the market.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Yeah, while it’s true we need a 1C, it’s possible we’ve already drafted him. It’s also possible we’ll draft him in the next couple drafts without ever being as bad as people think we need to be.

Not something to fret about not having when we don’t even know what we do have yet.

Reschny, Potter, and even Stockselius gives them some potential chances at that top line center when prior to this draft there wasn't even a prospect that had a "shot" at being a top line center.

They key now is just accumulating picks to hopefully add to that group, and maybe get fortunate enough to win a lottery to get into that top 5 where you can get that center.

The interesting part though is that in the 2026 draft I don't really see an premier centers forecast in the top end of that draft so far...lots of time for that to change (especially if McKenna shifts to C) but right now it's really just Roobroeck and Lawrence listed as centers in the top 15 of this draft.

And even in 2027 you have Landon Dupont as the 1st overall pick.

So Flames could pick 1st overall in 2026 and 2027 and still not get that elusive 1st line center.