2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If you have a hurt player you're going to activate at playoff time then sure you can't add.

But how common was that?

Most teams acquire players in the first week of March that play immediately and are part of the same cap they'll be held to at playoff time.

The accrued space won't change.

But while you can fit that player in form the rest of the season due to accrued space and the fact that player only will play 2 months, come playoff time, you'll be over the cap, as the full cap is now counted.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Isn't that why they changed the rules? Weren't all of the SC winners since Tampa and Kucherov in 21 over the cap during the playoffs?

I think we've seen it done every year, but by one team? There are 30 players moved at every deadline.

[Bingo]

Oh ok ... bigger change than I thought.

That's great for the game.

And it should change how team's approach the deadline.

You'd think it would make teams more active in the summer going forward.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Oh ok ... bigger change than I thought.

That's great for the game.

And it should change how team's approach the deadline.

You'd think it would make teams more active in the summer going forward.

Yeah that's quite a big change. Here's a summary from what I gathered:

• 20 man playoff roster has to be cap compliant for each game
• Healthy scratches and injured players don't count
• The full player cap-hits are used
• The only way to reduce a cap-hit is via retention
• Double retention is eliminated
• Takes Effect in the 26' playoffs

I think this would make retention and retention slots a sought-after commodity. Hopefully the fact that Andersson is a bargain will net the Flames some great assets.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Yeah that's quite a big change. Here's a summary from what I gathered:

• 20 man playoff roster has to be cap compliant for each game
• Healthy scratches and injured players don't count
• The full player cap-hits are used
• The only way to reduce a cap-hit is via retention
• Double retention is eliminated
• Takes Effect in the 26' playoffs

I think this would make retention and retention slots a sought-after commodity. Hopefully the fact that Andersson is a bargain will net the Flames some great assets.

Agreed, the value of retention should skyrocket IMO and the value of having contracts without trade protection also skyrockets. The typical teams that everyone would waive to might not be an option anymore. Having someone available with M-NTC or no trade protection is going to be very valuable.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Agreed. The biggest change is how these deals are completed, not how often imo. Teams being able to upgrade a depth defenceman with a much better defenceman 50% retained is still going to be appealing, it just changes the equation. And instead of every just the most capped out, over-filled rosters adding (Vegas) you’re going to get more teams on the outside of that small circle able to add and load up. Teams like Jersey, Utah, Winnipeg, Carolina, etc.

Should be fun.

Carolina is the team I looked at that might be the favs to win the cup. $10M in space with extra assets and a great team.

Edmonton might be tougher now that they do not have to face any loaded team's way over the cap.

Colorado is also in a great spot, just don't have the assets that Carolina does.

[Badgers Nose]

Maybe CC held off on using slots and cap this summer because he knew this change was coming. Overnight, retention slots and cap space just became more valuable.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Yeah that's quite a big change. Here's a summary from what I gathered:

• 20 man playoff roster has to be cap compliant for each game
• Healthy scratches and injured players don't count
• The full player cap-hits are used
• The only way to reduce a cap-hit is via retention
• Double retention is eliminated
• Takes Effect in the 26' playoffs

I think this would make retention and retention slots a sought-after commodity. Hopefully the fact that Andersson is a bargain will net the Flames some great assets.

It looks like they have a pretty solid solution that ensures teams are not circumventing the salary cap in the playoffs but also still allowing the tradition of Black Aces.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Isn't that why they changed the rules? Weren't all of the SC winners since Tampa and Kucherov in 21 over the cap during the playoffs?

4 teams since 2015, and 3 of the last 5. TB in 21, VGK in 23, and the Panthers last year.

[Robbob]

Let's not let the Oilers off the hook.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Let's not let the Oilers off the hook.

They were under the cap for the final game IIRC. BUT that's only because Hyman was hurt and Arviddson was so ####ty he was a healthy scratch.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

They were under the cap for the final game IIRC. BUT that's only because Hyman was hurt and Arviddson was so ####ty he was a healthy scratch.

And they got to have Kane at 5 million cap hit instead of his former cap hit of 7 million that somehow disappeared and Kane got paid the difference.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The Flames being able to take on salary isn’t of much help if most of the players that might come back as a cap dump can nix a deal.

The main reason deadline deals are almost always picks for players isn’t because sellers don’t have cap space (they usually have lots of it). It’s because vet-for-vet deals are really hard to orchestrate in today’s NHL. And the fact teams gearing up for a playoff run feel they can never have enough veterans, and are reluctant to trade away even 3rd pairing D and depth forwards.

But keeping those veterans does not pose a significant problem for deadline acquisitions, as those vets can be retained for backup. The playoff cap limit will only consider the 20 dressed players, so there is no problem with having another $10 or $20M sitting in the press box.

This rule won't reduce deadline deals, it will just require buyers to be aware of how they are going to manage their players and subs.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

They were under the cap for the final game IIRC. BUT that's only because Hyman was hurt and Arviddson was so ####ty he was a healthy scratch.

But they were over when Hyman was in the lineup, no?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

But they were over when Hyman was in the lineup, no?

Yes with both him and Arviddson I think. Supposedly their last game in the finals they were at $80.5 or so though.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

They were under the cap for the final game IIRC. BUT that's only because Hyman was hurt and Arviddson was so ####ty he was a healthy scratch.

You take out 2 players and add those two to the $80.5 million they had they are still under the cap.

[SuperMatt18]

Looking at total rosters as of the start of the Playoffs on April 23.

Panthers: $96.8M
Oilers: $96.7M

Both teams were abusing it last year.

[dammage79]

The new CBA changes that take effect immediately favor the Flames a fair bit.

Appears that the AHL is now an avenue the Flames can use for Parekhs development. Which might be the best option overall depending on camp results .

The cap jail a bunch of teams will now be under and will need to make some moves is another that the Flames can now utilize their cap space to make their team better.

The salary retention benefits the Flames more now that the premium just went up on an already scarce product.

And thusly, makes Rasmus Anderssons cap hit with full retention such a massive bargain that their return should be enough to really lift their build up long term .

Flames patience and lack of making moves may have finally paid off.

[MissTeeks]

LeBrun this morning tweeted that the new AHL 19 year old rules won’t start until next year. It still needs to be worked out between the NHL, the PA and the CHL.

[SuperMatt18]

On the CHL piece I have a feeling the Flames / NHL / CHL might come to terms on a special agreement for Parekh...guy has no use to go back to CHL.

In terms of the playoff salary cap and accrual changes it does make things interesting.

Teams like the Panthers and Oilers really have no space to make in-year improvements to their team without having to make tough trade off decisions come playoff time.

You'd think it would mean teams like Dallas, LA, Colorado, Carolina, etc would be more aggressive in making their acquisitions now, as no real benefit of waiting to add a piece at the deadline any more since you can't load up on accrued salary players to have a team way over the cap come playoff time.

So if you're going to pay the acquisition cost might as well add the player now, and get them adjusted to your system for the full season.

Originally Posted by dammage79

And thusly, makes Rasmus Anderssons cap hit with full retention such a massive bargain that their return should be enough to really lift their build up long term .

Flames patience and lack of making moves may have finally paid off.

No double retention, and the playoff salary cap should really make Andersson at $2.275M the premier trade asset available.