2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Major Major]

I think that when the Flames signed Lomberg there was some understanding that he would be an every day player here. So long as there is zero expectation that would continue with an extension, I am fine with it. His role is important but eventually I'm going to want to see the best players on the ice.

[BigThief]

Dont mind an "overpaid" guy on the bottom line when it's a player like Lomberg. When it's an overpriced 2nd liner that you bought in as a UFA and he's failed to that line, then I've got an issue. Two million a season is peanuts in the grand scheme of things and I think he brings value for that.

[FlamesAddiction]

Lomberg and his wife have been great ambassadors for Calgary as well, and Lomberg has such a magnetic personality, that I think he brings intrinsic value to the organization just having him around.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I agree. The Flames have 23 players on the roster and that does not include Honzek. Nothing that Lomberg is going to do this season puts the Flames are risk of losing him. If he wants to stay and the Flames want to keep him, the deal can be done at the deadline or after the season is over. Right now is just not needed as things can evolve based on who plays well this year and who makes the team out of camp

Signing at any time beyond the last possible minute isn’t needed at any time, and yet it is a frequent, regular occurrence in the NHL, because players and teams agree on extensions/contracts when it makes sense to both parties instead of holding to some arbitrary timeline.

No reason not to be happy with him, and if he’s willing to extend now, get it down now. One less thing to focus on.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Goriders

At least a worn out Andersson

Might as well put a statue of Conroy in the new building if he pulls this off.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Signing at any time beyond the last possible minute isn’t needed at any time, and yet it is a frequent, regular occurrence in the NHL, because players and teams agree on extensions/contracts when it makes sense to both parties instead of holding to some arbitrary timeline.

No reason not to be happy with him, and if he’s willing to extend now, get it down now. One less thing to focus on.

Priority to sign Lomberg is very low unless he leaves $1M on the table.

Things can evolve quickly. Players can step up and make this team from unexpected players.

Lomberg has fought to stay in the NHL his whole career, I bet he has never been offered a new deal a year early. The risk of losing him is 0 if he wants to stay.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Lomberg has fought to stay in the NHL his whole career, I bet he has never been offered a new deal a year early. The risk of losing him is 0 if he wants to stay.

Yep - dude absolutely bleeds Calgary, he was so excited to come back here from Florida. He's very open about how much he loves it here. It's great to see!

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Priority to sign Lomberg is very low unless he leaves $1M on the table.

Things can evolve quickly. Players can step up and make this team from unexpected players.

Lomberg has fought to stay in the NHL his whole career, I bet he has never been offered a new deal a year early. The risk of losing him is 0 if he wants to stay.

Some fans hate it, but the Flames place a lot of value on the culture of the room and the leadership group helping to develop players.

That was all over the Huska comments yesterday (about Weegar, leadership, work ethic, culture change).

Further to that you remove some uncertainty from players that have said value to that culture.

Lomberg and Backlund's contracts won't be onerous or all that difficult to move if need be.

But the human side of letting them set up camp knowing they are staying has value.

The Flames aren't taking this "theory" to asset management destruction as they have basically backed off the Andersson negotiation because of age and term.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Priority to sign Lomberg is very low unless he leaves $1M on the table.

Things can evolve quickly. Players can step up and make this team from unexpected players.

Lomberg has fought to stay in the NHL his whole career, I bet he has never been offered a new deal a year early. The risk of losing him is 0 if he wants to stay.

And yet it sounds like they’re working on signing him, so perhaps you’re missing something.

[memphusk]

Lomberg is a beauty. Sign him up!

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Some fans hate it, but the Flames place a lot of value on the culture of the room and the leadership group helping to develop players.

That was all over the Huska comments yesterday (about Weegar, leadership, work ethic, culture change).

Further to that you remove some uncertainty from players that have said value to that culture.

Lomberg and Backlund's contracts won't be onerous or all that difficult to move if need be.

But the human side of letting them set up camp knowing they are staying has value.

The Flames aren't taking this "theory" to asset management destruction as they have basically backed off the Andersson negotiation because of age and term.

I’d probably get irked if they retain Coleman but Backlund was a no brainer and Lomberg is going to be a contract where he can eat popcorn without issues if needed.

[1991 Canadian]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I’m also not sure what the sudden obsession over signing guys “too early” is. What does that even mean? We know what guys like Backlund or Lomberg bring just the same as we know what Wolf brings. Why is one somehow not too early and the others are?

It's player age based. In theory, I'd rather be early with signing younger players that are expected to get better. With vets, they can drop off quickly.

I like the Backlund extension and I'd be good with a Lomberg extension as well. Neither will harm the team. Frankly, if the prospects can't outwork Lomberg to earn a spot, they don't deserve it. But you can get into cap trouble with these kinds of moves.

I hate using this example because I like the player, but Stajan's last contract with the Flames is a perfect example of this. He signed "early" in the January 2014, in the midst of a very good .5 ppg year. The end result is the Flames were overpaying their 4th line centre 3 million for the next 4 years. An extra million or two of cap space could have made a difference in that era.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

And yet it sounds like they’re working on signing him, so perhaps you’re missing something.

So, every move that a GM makes is a good one? I don't agree with signing him before the season, maybe during the season or next off season. I see no risk of him leaving because he didn't get an offer right now.

I see very little risk of him having a good season and costing the team more money later.

If we develop players ahead of schedule, team exceeds expectations again this year and a decision to move the timeline to compete up a year is still very possible. His contract could be 1 we want to move and can't in a year or 2 and this is all for a guy that no way he closes the door on an extension because you waited 3-6 months.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Some fans hate it, but the Flames place a lot of value on the culture of the room and the leadership group helping to develop players.

That was all over the Huska comments yesterday (about Weegar, leadership, work ethic, culture change).

Further to that you remove some uncertainty from players that have said value to that culture.

Lomberg and Backlund's contracts won't be onerous or all that difficult to move if need be.

But the human side of letting them set up camp knowing they are staying has value.

The Flames aren't taking this "theory" to asset management destruction as they have basically backed off the Andersson negotiation because of age and term.

Culture in the locker room could also be a mix of players who get along and like each other as teammates. At some point you have to consider talent too. Lomberg is a good fit, but if the Flames trade Coleman and Kadri or other vets and in comes different players with different personalities, the culture can change, and other players might not be a fit with the new players.

They have a long list of players that seem to be good in the room, take one away and they should be ok.

I also never said I would be against signing Lomberg, just right now does not make sense unless he leaves a lot of money on the table to stay. 0 risk he leaves if he wants to stay that badly.

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by 1991 Canadian

It's player age based. In theory, I'd rather be early with signing younger players that are expected to get better. With vets, they can drop off quickly.

I like the Backlund extension and I'd be good with a Lomberg extension as well. Neither will harm the team. Frankly, if the prospects can't outwork Lomberg to earn a spot, they don't deserve it. But you can get into cap trouble with these kinds of moves.

I hate using this example because I like the player, but Stajan's last contract with the Flames is a perfect example of this. He signed "early" in the January 2014, in the midst of a very good .5 ppg year. The end result is the Flames were overpaying their 4th line centre 3 million for the next 4 years. An extra million or two of cap space could have made a difference in that era.

Young players typically don't want to sign early, though, because why would they? They think they'll be better the following season, which means their price goes up.

Wolf is the exception, not the rule.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Leadership group: Backlund, Coleman, Lomberg, Huberdeau, Kadri, Weegar and Andersson.


Andersson is leaving at some point this season. Coleman is likely gone at next season's deadline. Who knows about Kadri? I will be surprised if he finishes his contract in Calgary, but who knows? That's 2 - and maybe 3 - important leaders off this team.


Now look at Zary, Pospisil and Coronato. They play hard every shift. If this culture continues, they won't be able to play any other way, as this will be how they know to play. That's what it means being developed on a team with this kind of culture. Parekh and the future stars of this team will also be brought up in this culture - at least, if this culture is still present. I would say it has a greater chance to remain present by re-signing Lomberg and making sure he is around for a few more seasons. He plays hard all the time, and he keeps everyone lose in the room. I am glad to see him being extended.

[robertsfanatic]

Lombo is a beauty and a great locker room "glue" guy so resiging him is no big deal to me...especially since it will not be more than he currently makes and likely less (2 x 1.5).

[Fighting Banana Slug]

No great harm signing Lomberg, assuming it is a low number for 1 year, but I don't get the timing either. Will be 31 in December and not much more than a 13th forward.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

So, every move that a GM makes is a good one? I don't agree with signing him before the season, maybe during the season or next off season. I see no risk of him leaving because he didn't get an offer right now.

I see very little risk of him having a good season and costing the team more money later.

If we develop players ahead of schedule, team exceeds expectations again this year and a decision to move the timeline to compete up a year is still very possible. His contract could be 1 we want to move and can't in a year or 2 and this is all for a guy that no way he closes the door on an extension because you waited 3-6 months.

Not every move is a good one, but most are at the very least fair. I agree with you that the team doesn't need to re-sign Lomberg right away.

At the same time, I don't think it's about the money when it comes to a guy like Lomberg. The league minimum is going to go up to $1M and Lomberg likely will get paid under $2M on a short term deal.

The argument about roster spots is more than fair. That said, I don't think it escapes management, they know exactly how many bodies they have signed for 2026-27. If Lomberg re-signs I think the management will treat him like a bit of a gatekeeper. As in you have to beat Lomberg to get a job. He might be a better option for popcorn duty than a younger guy that needs to play. So when a young guy takes a job the team will either trade/waive/send down Lomberg, or another player above him in the rotation. They did it with Markstrom, and Mangiapane. They didn't re-sign Mantha because of the emergence of Coronato, etc.

[D as in David]

They should keep any trade protection to a bare minimum, if any, on a Lomberg extension.