2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

This thread just is not the same without Sec. We need the gifs back.

Oh Wally

[Pickle Juice]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

This thread just is not the same without Sec. We need the gifs back.

It’s an odd sort of victory to boast about driving someone away from a public forum. Anyone can disrupt; it takes actual character to contribute in a way that elevates the discussion. All you’ve really proven is that you can make the space smaller and less welcoming — and that’s hardly something to be proud of.

This was sent after I seen your latest post and I hope this is actually how you feel. I never get into the attack side of this forum but I am legitimately bummed that some posters don't feel its worth it anymore to post on here based on a very small majority that come for dialog and debate.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Pickle Juice

It’s an odd sort of victory to boast about driving someone away from a public forum. Anyone can disrupt; it takes actual character to contribute in a way that elevates the discussion. All you’ve really proven is that you can make the space smaller and less welcoming — and that’s hardly something to be proud of.

I wasn't even posting those days that people drove him away actually. But I am legit wishing he came back. I miss the gifs, I changed my mind on them.

[Heavy Jack]

lol now that they’re gone you miss them?? Cheers for contributing to the reason why they’re gone in the first place, great job!

[Sec214]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

This thread just is not the same without Sec. We need the gifs back.

[Heavy Jack]

Sec’s new approach is honestly hilarious, keep it up

[tremorchrist]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Finally a clever gif!

[TheIronMaiden]

Is this season the first season with the shortened pre season?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Is this season the first season with the shortened pre season?

I think so. Can we just get going already though? It's always this time of year every year I start craving Flames hockey again badly.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Is this season the first season with the shortened pre season?

Nope. All the new CBA changes start for the 2026/27 season.

[Sandman]

A few nuggets to chew on from nhltraderumors to chew on, since we're all bored:

-Rob Couch suggests that the Flames may be one of three teams that could sign free-agent D Matt Grzelcyk (along with the Stars and Blues), as we still have plenty of cap space, and a potential spot to fill once Andersson is traded. He thinks Grzelcyk could play in our top-4, saying he doesn't have much faith in Miromanov or Hanley being everyday players here. I say that Hanley is pretty well-liked by the coaches here, and that Grzelcyk doesn't move the needle that much.

-Jeremy Tingly served up a mock trade that sends Andersson to Ottawa for C Shane Pinto, but acknowledges that Andersson probably wouldn't want to go there anyway.

-Rob Couch thinks that Bruins' C Casey Mittelstadt could be traded soon, even with rumors suggesting that C Pavel Zacha is on the block. According to some, the Bruins wanted prospect Will Zellers in the Charlie Coyle trade, but had to take Mittelstadt to get it done. He makes 5.75 M per year, and put up a disappointing 6 points in 18 games with the Bruins- Couch speculates that Boston might want to sign Jack Roslovic to fill his spot.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Sandman

A few nuggets to chew on from nhltraderumors to chew on, since we're all bored:

-Rob Couch suggests that the Flames may be one of three teams that could sign free-agent D Matt Grzelcyk (along with the Stars and Blues), as we still have plenty of cap space, and a potential spot to fill once Andersson is traded. He thinks Grzelcyk could play in our top-4, saying he doesn't have much faith in Miromanov or Hanley being everyday players here. I say that Hanley is pretty well-liked by the coaches here, and that Grzelcyk doesn't move the needle that much.

-Jeremy Tingly served up a mock trade that sends Andersson to Ottawa for C Shane Pinto, but acknowledges that Andersson probably wouldn't want to go there anyway.

-Rob Couch thinks that Bruins' C Casey Mittelstadt could be traded soon, even with rumors suggesting that C Pavel Zacha is on the block. According to some, the Bruins wanted prospect Will Zellers in the Charlie Coyle trade, but had to take Mittelstadt to get it done. He makes 5.75 M per year, and put up a disappointing 6 points in 18 games with the Bruins- Couch speculates that Boston might want to sign Jack Roslovic to fill his spot.

Rasmus to Ottawa. While ott may be on the ntc, would Rasmus reconsider if staois is allowed to talk to him? Would he consider going there for the year and give it a trial before he tries free agency? Wouldn’t have the same distraction in Ottawa (by virtue of coming in as a pending free agent, vs here where he has all the history). Pinto won’t happen, I think we all agree there.

Mittlestadt. Would cost a lot less but for obvious reasons. Would a team like Canucks give it a go? Can’t see teams beating door down to acquire him, more of a cap dump than anything.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Rasmus to Ottawa. While ott may be on the ntc, would Rasmus reconsider if staois is allowed to talk to him? Would he consider going there for the year and give it a trial before he tries free agency? Wouldn’t have the same distraction in Ottawa (by virtue of coming in as a pending free agent, vs here where he has all the history). Pinto won’t happen, I think we all agree there.

Mittlestadt. Would cost a lot less but for obvious reasons. Would a team like Canucks give it a go? Can’t see teams beating door down to acquire him, more of a cap dump than anything.

As I said a few days ago, I don't see much in Ottawa that we would want in a trade, or that they would be willing to give. Not sure if talking to Staios would make much of a difference, and I'm sure Rasmus' trade value will still be considerably lower without the guarantee of him signing long-term.

I liked Mittlestadt better when he was an up-and-coming first-rounder, but I think we pretty much know what he is now- a 50/60-point second-line C, who maybe had a bad year in 2024-25. He's a little vanilla though, but I think he still holds value- I would take him, as long as the price isn't too high.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Rasmus to Ottawa. While ott may be on the ntc, would Rasmus reconsider if staois is allowed to talk to him? Would he consider going there for the year and give it a trial before he tries free agency? Wouldn’t have the same distraction in Ottawa (by virtue of coming in as a pending free agent, vs here where he has all the history). Pinto won’t happen, I think we all agree there.

I think Pinto is the only move that makes sense. Adding Cozens makes Pinto expendable and the Sens do not have much else to offer. Their 2026 draft picks are pretty spent and their good prospects are RD (Yakemchuk and Hensler).

They do not have much in their pipeline to get excited about as almost all of their noteworthy players have graduated to the big club.

Who else do you dangle if you are the Sens? Greig?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Wolven

I think Pinto is the only move that makes sense. Adding Cozens makes Pinto expendable and the Sens do not have much else to offer. Their 2026 draft picks are pretty spent and their good prospects are RD (Yakemchuk and Hensler).

They do not have much in their pipeline to get excited about as almost all of their noteworthy players have graduated to the big club.

Who else do you dangle if you are the Sens? Greig?

I really like Greig, and I think he could really be something in a few years. He's a six-footer, but he has a ton of jam, and relentless motor. I think we should keep acquiring only players who are 6' tall, lol.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I really like Greig, and I think he could really be something in a few years. He's a six-footer, but he has a ton of jam, and relentless motor. I think we should keep acquiring only players who are 6' tall, lol.

I would be surprised if Grieg developed into anything more than a 40-45 point guy offensively. Provides a bunch of intangibles but I think with him you ahoils not really expect offence.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I would be surprised if Grieg developed into anything more than a 40-45 point guy offensively. Provides a bunch of intangibles but I think with him you ahoils not really expect offence.

You could very well be right. There’s a number of shocking similarities between him and Peyton Krebs- both in style, and career-wise…

[sureLoss]

Habs looking to move Carey Price's contract

https://rg.org/news/hockey/canadiens...hl-trade-front

While patience is part of Montreal’s strategy, it’s also a necessity given the financial constraints tied to Carey Price’s contract. The veteran goaltender, sidelined since the 2021-22 season due to a career-ending knee injury, still carries a $10.5 million cap hit.

“The Canadiens are taking a pulse on the NHL trade market and seeing where they fit in. All eyes are on that September 1 date when it comes to Carey Price,” said the source.#

The reason why September 1 is on everyone's mind is due to Carey Price receiving his $5.5M signing bonus on that date. Once paid, he'll only be owed $2M in actual salary, despite his $10.5M cap hit. And what's more? Of that $2M salary, 60% of it will be covered by insurance.

That is an extremely attractive and cheap endeavor for a team close to the salary cap floor that knows it will unload major salary throughout the season.

“Once Price’s contract is moved, and they actually have real cap space, there is potential for a subsequent move, because the Canadiens don’t want to use off-season LTIR right now and they don’t want to sacrifice a roster player,” another NHL source explained.
On top of being able to surpass the NHL salary cap by 10% in the offseason (which the Canadiens are currently leveraging at the moment of this writing), using off-season LTIR provides temporary flexibility, but it’s not the same as having real cap room. It can complicate in-season maneuvering and limit the Canadiens’ ability to respond to new opportunities. Moving Price’s contract — potentially to a cap-floor team looking to absorb the deal, for financial and asset-based reasons — would give Montreal freedom to make moves without those restrictions.

General manager Kent Hughes and executive vice president Jeff Gorton have a history of making notable trades late in the summer, and there’s precedent for them finding value at that stage of the offseason.#
Source: https://rg.org/news/hockey/canadiens...hl-trade-front

[Royle9]

I’ve heard Toronto as another team who is looking to sign Roslovic, but need to move a contract.

Rasmus has OTT in his no-trade list.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Habs looking to move Carey Price's contract

https://rg.org/news/hockey/canadiens...hl-trade-front

I haven't been posting a lot recently, but this is one about which I feel very strongly. Price's contract has 1 year left. The Flames have the room. I hope Conroy and ownership are willing to take that contract in return for futures if they get the opportunity.