2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Jiri Hrdina]

I'm sorry but I think that's wishful thinking. How often has a player requested a trade because they are asked to play wing v. center. If playing wing allows them to get the premium ice time with other offensive players, they will produce and get paid.

The chances that Misa or Smith refuse to sign their next contract because of such an issue is, in my view, next to nothing.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Also Smith and/or Misa simply may be wingers at the nhl level because that’s more who they are

[Sandman]

The players don’t choose to play C in the NHL, the hockey gods choose THEM.

[Robbob]

The talk about having too many centers is kind of funny. When team Canada picks their players I am pretty sure they don't exclude a player because they already have 4 centers.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Robbob

The talk about having too many centers is kind of funny. When team Canada picks their players I am pretty sure they don't exclude a player because they already have 4 centers.

I don't think anyone cares that much about an infrequent short term tournament where they do not get paid compared to their multimillion dollar careers.

[Robbob]

True, but talent is talent and provides teams with options.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I'm sorry but I think that's wishful thinking. How often has a player requested a trade because they are asked to play wing v. center. If playing wing allows them to get the premium ice time with other offensive players, they will produce and get paid.

The chances that Misa or Smith refuse to sign their next contract because of such an issue is, in my view, next to nothing.

I agree with this. Though not playing C was arguably part of what sent Bennett out the door.

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I agree with this. Though not playing C was arguably part of what sent Bennett out the door.

I think it was more that Bennett was shuffled around the lineup all the time. He wasn't given a consistent line or role. I think that if he was consistently playing top 6 minutes then he would not have had an issue.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

I think it was more that Bennett was shuffled around the lineup all the time. He wasn't given a consistent line or role. I think that if he was consistently playing top 6 minutes then he would not have had an issue.

He also wasn't great on the wing, which is part of what bounced him down the lineup. The team needed to commit to him as a consistent C and give him scoring wingers instead of 4th liners.

In the end the Flames blew it by mishandling the player and then trading him for nothing.

But now that the Flames are looking to buy, these other teams are going to manage their assets perfectly and the players are going to be happy (and super effective) moving to the wing instead of playing C?

Tough luck for us I guess.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

Says you.

RHD >>> LHD in the NHL. Not much of an argument, especially with Andersson's cap

I'll believe it when I see it. Certainly, the offers haven't been +++ in comparison to Hanifin.

I would expect an equivalent package of 1st + prospect + roster player OR mid-pick (2nd-4th) if Ras has a median type of season statistically.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I'll believe it when I see it. Certainly, the offers haven't been +++ in comparison to Hanifin.

I would expect an equivalent package of 1st + prospect + roster player OR mid-pick (2nd-4th) if Ras has a median type of season statistically.

Yeah, with how this has dragged out I’m expecting a Hanifin return now

[Toonage]

I mentioned this the other day. The rumored deal with Vegas set the bar for what other GMs would be willing to pay, at least for now, for Ras.

Nic Hague and a 1st in what was likely 2027 or 2028.

Conroy was ready to make that deal. Why would anyone pay more now?

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I mentioned this the other day. The rumored deal with Vegas set the bar for what other GMs would be willing to pay, at least for now, for Ras.

Nic Hague and a 1st in what was likely 2027 or 2028.

Conroy was ready to make that deal. Why would anyone pay more now?

Why?

Because they may need to?

Just because one guy was willing to pay something at one point in time isn’t a reflection on what another may pay at another point.

If Jim Nill thinks Anderson is what’s going to give his team the edge headed into the playoffs I don’t he’s too concerned about what McKimmon was willing to pay months ago. Frankly, it’s irrelevant.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Why?

Because they may need to?

Just because one guy was willing to pay something at one point in time isn’t a reflection on what another may pay at another point.

If Jim Nill thinks Anderson is what’s going to give his team the edge headed into the playoffs I don’t he’s too concerned about what McKimmon was willing to pay months ago. Frankly, it’s irrelevant.

I said why would they pay more now?

Meaning Ras isn't likely to move anywhere until, like you suggest, much later into the season.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I said why would they pay more now?

Meaning Ras isn't likely to move anywhere until, like you suggest, much later into the season.

Got it. That’s fair.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Wolven

He also wasn't great on the wing, which is part of what bounced him down the lineup. The team needed to commit to him as a consistent C and give him scoring wingers instead of 4th liners.

In the end the Flames blew it by mishandling the player and then trading him for nothing.

But now that the Flames are looking to buy, these other teams are going to manage their assets perfectly and the players are going to be happy (and super effective) moving to the wing instead of playing C?

Tough luck for us I guess.

He wasn't great at C here when he was put there. He tended to go it alone a lot. Obvioulsy he needed more reps though. And faster linemates.

[GullFoss]

Dallas sure looks like a good landing spot for Rasmus. They have only 1 right shot defenseman and their depth drops off after their top 3. Rasmus would look great as a #4 in Dallas and give them the best top-4 in the league.

Do you think a trade with Dallas for Rasmus could make sense?

Rasmus + Bean/Pachal/Hanley

For

Lian Bichsel + 2027 1st

[Mephisto]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Dallas sure looks like a good landing spot for Rasmus. They have only 1 right shot defenseman and their depth drops off after their top 3. Rasmus would look great as a #4 in Dallas and give them the best top-4 in the league.

Do you think a trade with Dallas for Rasmus could make sense?

Rasmus + Bean/Pachal/Hanley

For

Lian Bichsel + 2027 1st

Yes. Dallas could be a player in the McDavid Sweepstakes if he goes UFA. Their 27 1st isn't worth that much so they would need to add more than just a middling prospect.

[Sofa GM]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Dallas sure looks like a good landing spot for Rasmus. They have only 1 right shot defenseman and their depth drops off after their top 3. Rasmus would look great as a #4 in Dallas and give them the best top-4 in the league.

Do you think a trade with Dallas for Rasmus could make sense?

Rasmus + Bean/Pachal/Hanley

For

Lian Bichsel + 2027 1st

I don’t think Dallas does one for one Bischel for Andersson. Adding a 2027 1st on top of that when the Flames add a waivers worthy asset is laughable.

Think more like Mavrik Bourque + 2027 1st if the Flames retain.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Sofa GM

I don’t think Dallas does one for one Bischel for Andersson. Adding a 2027 1st on top of that when the Flames add a waivers worthy asset is laughable.

Think more like Mavrik Bourque + 2027 1st if the Flames retain.

The playoff salary cap, LTIR and salary retention rules make the cap hit of a player more important than ever.

Bischel has 2 years left on his ELC and if he is a positive contributor with upside at less than $1M, no way they trade him for Ras. Ras contract demands probably have increased with the recent signings. He might be looking for more than $9M now.

Ras has value under his current contract and more value if we retain salary, but Bourque and Bischel have big value for Dallas as well as they could be very positive contributors for next to no cap hit.

I think we need to look at prospects not on the team and 1sts. I just don't see why Dallas gives up 2 good players on ELCs.