2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Bonded

If any of the prospects are good enough they can push out some of those vets. I still think there will be a lot of turnover on the roster over the next two years. No one is really getting blocked next season at forward barring a training camp surprise.

Block, maybe you are right, but some will get blocked from getting the opportunity to succeed.

Conroy also does not have full control of who plays and probably wants Huska to coach to win games. Kadri, Huberdeau, Backlund and Coleman will get over 15 mins a game and all but Coleman will get 16:30+

Someone has to get 10-12 mins a night. It's really hard to have a good season when you play 3.5 mins a period.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Not sure why he should, when he'll do better than that.

Rossi signed for 3 years, meaning he can take the Tkachuk route, and walk himself to UFA by accepting the qualifying offer of $6M at the end of his 3 year contract. That's the cost to Minny in not going long term with Rossi, much like it cost Treliving with Tkachuk.

If Zary signs a 2-year deal, he'll be able to become a UFA by accepting his qualifying offer when it expires.

I thought Zary has 4 years to UFA?
If he takes a 3 year deal he would have 1 year of RFA left and could walk himself to UFA.
If he takes a 2 year deal, he would still have 2 years left and it'd be harder to talk to UFA as the team is unlikely to agree to a 2 year contract.

I still think the 1 year deal is best for both sides. Zary can show what he can do with a healthy season and the team maintains a lot of control in negotiations so that they can offer him a 6+ year contract and buy a number of UFA years.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Thats a nice in theory but in practice virtually never happens. As it were, the lineup I put out already has Lomberg munching popcorn.
There won't be more than 1-2 veterans at most occupying the press box. This organization wants to treat people better too, remember?

Huberdeau is the only vet in the forward core that is guaranteed to be on the team in three years imo. Room will be made over the next two years and that lines up a lot more with the prospect pipeline the Flames have on forward.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

I would not trade Zary unless someone significantly overpaid. He is an electric player, young, and has some potential.

He is the exact type of player you keep. He can help sell tickets for the next few years. We really do not have a lot of forwards like him who are fun to watch with their skill.

If we could get McTavish for Zary+Andersson that would be the type of deal I would be okay moving him otherwise we should definitely keep him and hope the injury issues are a thing of the past and he can fulfill his potential

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Not sure why he should, when he'll do better than that.

Rossi signed for 3 years, meaning he can take the Tkachuk route, and walk himself to UFA by accepting the qualifying offer of $6M at the end of his 3 year contract. That's the cost to Minny in not going long term with Rossi, much like it cost Treliving with Tkachuk.

If Zary signs a 2-year deal, he'll be able to become a UFA by accepting his qualifying offer when it expires.

Rossi just scored 60 points - and will have an AAV of 4.5M these next two years.

Foerster just scored 25 goals and has an AAV of 3.75M these next two years.

Quinn just scored 39 points and has an AAV of 3.35M these next two years.

Zary is coming off an injury riddled season where he put up 27 points. He has no basis for "getting more" than any these aforementioned forwards from his own draft class.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Guys that I would consider trading this season to make room:
Coleman
Backlund - Only if he wants to, it would be super interesting to trade both him and Coleman together to see if they can get Backlund a cup.
Lomberg
Zary - especially if his contract situation is getting negative or he can bring us back a big C upgrade.



I would only move Kadri out if we land McTavish (or equivalent). Moving him out without a replacement would just turn our C depth into Frost, Backlund, Zary, Kirkland, which is somewhat terrifying.

Even if your goal is to tank, I do not think you want to cave the team in on top of Wolf and Parekh.

I would consider moving any forward not named Zary or Coronato.

If there are good deals where the Flames can upgrade on, or get good assets for Farabee, Frost, Sharangovich, Pospisil, or Klapka, then the Flames should be all over it.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I think it's probably about more than money. Zary had his ice time reduced when he came back from injury, and it showed in his numbers. He sees the lineup situation too. He could take a 2 year deal, end up in the bottom 6 for the entire time, and guarantee himself an even smaller extension... I think that's playing in his mind.

I think his injury proneness is probably playing a factor on both side. Zary likely wants as much financial security as possible, meanwhile Conroy is probably reluctant to pay too much for a player that given his history, is probably going to miss 10-20 games in any given season. It sucks for Zary, but injury history has to factor in to his overall reliability.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Huberdeau is the only vet in the forward core that is guaranteed to be on the team in three years imo. Room will be made over the next two years and that lines up a lot more with the prospect pipeline the Flames have on forward.

It sounds like you agree that they need to start trading forwards off the current roster. Who would you suggest starting with?

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Bonded

If any of the prospects are good enough they can push out some of those vets. I still think there will be a lot of turnover on the roster over the next two years. No one is really getting blocked next season at forward barring a training camp surprise.

That is the PR line but it almost never happens.

Barring trade or injury Kadri, Huberdeau, Coronato, Zary, Frost, Farabee, Backlund, Coleman, Sharongovich, Pospisil, and Lomberg are on the active roster. That is 11 players. Kirkland and Klapka are very likely, that brings you to 13. Plus you have Kerins and Morton who require waivers to be sent down.

If your a guy like Honzek or Stromgren its going to be tough to make the team without an injury or trade happening. I would prefer to have a spot or two available for young guys to move into. But that isnt the case at forward.

[Pickle Juice]

I've noticed persistent rumors circulating about the potential trade of Arber Xhekaj by the Montreal Canadiens. One report suggests the team may be seeking a first-round pick in return, which, in my view, would be a non-starter. It's no secret that Calgary explored options for acquiring a left-handed defenseman earlier this summer. It raises the question: might the Flames have interest in Xhekaj, and if so, what assets could realistically be offered to facilitate such a deal? Étienne Morin?

I do believe the Flames need more grit in their line up is why I ask.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by kehatch

That is the PR line but it almost never happens.

Barring trade or injury Kadri, Huberdeau, Coronato, Zary, Frost, Farabee, Backlund, Coleman, Sharongovich, Pospisil, and Lomberg are on the active roster. That is 11 players. Kirkland and Klapka are very likely, that brings you to 13. Plus you have Kerins and Morton who require waivers to be sent down.

If your a guy like Honzek or Stromgren its going to be tough to make the team without an injury or trade happening. I would prefer to have a spot or two available for young guys to move into. But that isnt the case at forward.

It literally happens all the time.

Lomberg is not a lock as an everyday player. Kirkland and Klapka aren’t even locks for the NHL, and Kerins and Morton haven’t even proven they’re more than AHL players yet.

Without trades or injuries, that’s two forward spots available. With them it’s more.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

It literally happens all the time.

Lomberg is not a lock as an everyday player. Kirkland and Klapka aren’t even locks for the NHL, and Kerins and Morton haven’t even proven they’re more than AHL players yet.

Without trades or injuries, that’s two forward spots available. With them it’s more.

It also happens all the time a team sends down players that should make the team because of 2 reassons.

If Honzek and Stromgren play well enough to make it, they will not be on the team just to play Lomberg or Kirkland's role with the team

Both are waiver exempt.

If they push to make the team, they need at least 12 mins a game. Lomberg averaged 8:39

[GioforPM]

You can't just trade players to make a bare minimum lineup. You need options, even if some of those options start the year on the farm. No player on this team is untouchable except for maybe Wolf. But no player can be gifted a spot just because they are two years younger either.

[Svartsengi]

Florida just signed Luke Kunin to a one year deal, no dollar amount released yet. Evan Rodrigues trade incoming?. Panthers need to dump some salary to get under salary cap.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

If we could get McTavish for Zary+Andersson that would be the type of deal I would be okay moving him otherwise we should definitely keep him and hope the injury issues are a thing of the past and he can fulfill his potential

I think we need to keep Zary if possible. I love McTavish but not at that price, imho.

Zary when healthy makes this team’s top 6 much better

[dissentowner]

I don't care what play driving possession numbers say about Backlund's play last year, he clearly took a few steps back defensively last year. I have been watching some game replays from last season and there were quite a few times the opposition scored because Backlund lost his man. At this point I would start giving his role more to Frost and move him to the 4th line C spot. His game is only going to degrade further as time goes on.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Svartsengi

Florida just signed Luke Kunin to a one year deal, no dollar amount released yet. Evan Rodrigues trade incoming?. Panthers need to dump some salary to get under salary cap.

They’re probably just going to ride the Tkachuk LTIR-train until he’s conveniently good to go when he’s OK to re-enter the lineup without penalty.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I think we need to keep Zary if possible. I love McTavish but not at that price, imho.

Zary when healthy makes this team’s top 6 much better

It depends if you see McTavish as a top line C in the making. If you do then you do that deal all day because Zary won't be. I'm not convinced Zary isn't more suited on the wing anyhow.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Svartsengi

Florida just signed Luke Kunin to a one year deal, no dollar amount released yet. Evan Rodrigues trade incoming?. Panthers need to dump some salary to get under salary cap.

Who cares, we have no room or need for this player at all on our team.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

You can't just trade players to make a bare minimum lineup. You need options, even if some of those options start the year on the farm. No player on this team is untouchable except for maybe Wolf. But no player can be gifted a spot just because they are two years younger either.

We're not talking about gifting spots. How many times do you see injuries and the player that get the call is a player that fills the role of the player that got hurt.

Lomberg or Kirkland get hurt...Hunt gets the call

Kadri or Huberdeau gets hurt...Honzek or Stromgren gets the call

You need quality 4th liners, but they also need to play their role. Lomberg plays hard, is a leader, hits and if he gets benched for the 3rd in a close game...he comes out hard again the next night. Young players who have potential just don't excel in this role.

Pospisil and Klapka can move up and down, but at some point, they need more ice to succeed. We have 11 top 9 forwards with a couple more knocking on the door

We have plenty of 4th line options like Lomberg, Morton, Ciona, Kirkland, Kerins (maybe top 9 potential but looking like a 4th liner at best). For a short stint, you could give some top 9 guys a spot in a pinch too.

It's really best to keep the 2 roles seperate when planning the team.