2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[memphusk]

I'm not the biggest Backlund fan, but you have to appreciate the approach. A true professional at his trade. He cares. He wanted to be the Captain and that's a leader, but I feel the weight of it was shown on his shoulders last season. This year he will be better.

[traptor]

Backlunds not Crosby or Ovechkin. We're not coming off a storied history as a contender and cup winmer.


Hes a really good middle 6 center. Its nice he wants to stay but I hope they atleast explore the market to see if they could get a 1st.


It seems to me like we let the players dictate what we do lately.

[Jiri Hrdina]

He and others have trade protection. His is a 15 trade no trade clause which is a lot of control. So yes, those that have trade protection, do have a say.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

He and others have trade protection. His is a 15 trade no trade clause which is a lot of control. So yes, those that have trade protection, do have a say.

Yes, im speaking of control beyond their respective trade protection.ee

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by traptor

Yes, im speaking of control beyond their respective trade protection.ee

Which players specifically do you think we have let dictate what we do, outside of their respective trade protection. Can't think of anyone

[Robbob]

If he really wants to be here then maybe he will be open to a handshake trade at the deadline and then re-sign to come back. Kind of the best of 2 worlds where he gets to chase the cup and doesn't have to move the family. Bonus for the Flames is it gives them some assets in return. Similar to the Keith Tkachuk to Atlanta.

Ironically that pick that Atlanta traded to STL for Tkachuk, was used on Backlund. Just something neat that popped up looking at that trade tree. Flames traded down from the 18 spot, where STL picked Ian Cole. The 2nd round and 3rd round picks that they also picked up didn't amount to much of anything.

[Calgary Highlander]

I still can't believe Sutter actually picked Backlund. I wonder who had to twist his arm to take a European player when there were plenty of good Western Canadian boys on the board.

[Pickle Juice]

Been digging through last summer’s NHL trade history, and it looks like we’re entering that magical window when the rumor mill starts churning and GMs get itchy trigger fingers. Mid-August saw some moves— St. Louis tossing that offer sheet at Edmonton.

Things cooled off in September, but October brought the heat back.
So here’s to hoping the phones start ringing and the trades start flying. Let the chaos begin

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

I still can't believe Sutter actually picked Backlund. I wonder who had to twist his arm to take a European player when there were plenty of good Western Canadian boys on the board.

Tod Button was the director of scouting at the time. Looking back it really was a home run pick being 6th in games played and 8th is points from that draft class.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

Which players specifically do you think we have let dictate what we do, outside of their respective trade protection. Can't think of anyone

The most prominent one that actually hurt them was Hanifin. It felt like they let him do alot of hand wringing about staying in Calgary, which put them in a bad situation as the clock started to run out.

But I will say this to counter my own point as I think about it. Them retaining someone like Backlund isn't necessarily just for the players desire. It's part of their own plan as they try to stay competitive.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by traptor

Yes, im speaking of control beyond their respective trade protection.ee

You should try going through the exercise of using a 15 team trade clause to protect yourself from being traded. When used correctly it is a LOT of trade protection.

There are only 31 other teams in the league.
Only 16 of them are going to be making the playoffs and "buying".
Of those 16 teams, you know a number of them are fully loaded on centers (Panthers, Stars, VGK, etc.) and others have so little cap space there is no way they can fit Backlund's cap hit (Oilers, Leafs, etc.). These are teams that you likely do not need to put on your NTL.

Then, use your 15 team NTL to eliminate all of the other trade options.

Also, seeking to trade the team's captain against his will is pretty skeezy. I do not know why you would hope for that.

[Jiggy]

I think people forget Backlund was playing hurt for most of last year

[Bonded]

If Backlund wants to go then he is going to be worth more at the deadline imo. Same with Coleman.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Backlund re-signed in Calgary for the legacy. I don't think he moves. I don't think he should move. Maybe if a contender comes calling at the deadline, then perhaps it will sway Backlund's mind a little, but I see him as the only current player in the organization that is going to retire a Flame, and never play for another organization. That's pretty special, especially in this era. I hope he never gets traded, and continues to re-sign one year deals until he decides to hang them up.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Flames have benefitted from plenty of value out of Backlund's contracts over the years, but I am not sure they should be signing him to another contract out of loyalty. If it is one year, $1 mil or so fine, but I do think he has lost a step.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by traptor

The most prominent one that actually hurt them was Hanifin. It felt like they let him do alot of hand wringing about staying in Calgary, which put them in a bad situation as the clock started to run out.

But I will say this to counter my own point as I think about it. Them retaining someone like Backlund isn't necessarily just for the players desire. It's part of their own plan as they try to stay competitive.

Iginla would probably be on that list. We got next to nothing back for him trying to accommodate his wishes

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Iginla would probably be on that list. We got next to nothing back for him trying to accommodate his wishes

Again he had a full nmc
It’s not accommodating him. It’s him exercising the control he had in his contract

[Kipper_3434]

Not worried about backlund staying. He's the best player for our young wingers to break in with. That's easily worth more than a late 1st IMO.

[Sandman]

With the way he tilts the ice and makes his linemates better, Backs is much more than just the run-of-the-mill 3rd-line C. I wish he were a bit younger to be able to mentor our youth for years to come.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Tod Button was the director of scouting at the time. Looking back it really was a home run pick being 6th in games played and 8th is points from that draft class.

Yeah, and Sutter's not nearly the Neanderthal about players some people think he is.