2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Is that right? They have to tell the player they are working on a trade with a team and then the no trade list gets submitted? I had always believed it was submitted at some point in the off season as specified in a contract.

In any case, the Flames will and should work with Kadri to at least some degree. But he doesn’t have a full no trade clause and IMO they should not treat him as if he does.

Yeah I agree, work with him to SOME degree. But he doesn't have a full ntc and should not be able to pick his destination, unless they meet what we ask for.

If a team Kadri doesn't want to go to as badly but isn't on his ntc list offers two 1sts, and the team he really wants to go to offers a 2nd, do you really just let Kadri decide? That sounds crazy.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

Yeah I agree, work with him to SOME degree. But he doesn't have a full ntc and should not be able to pick his destination, unless they meet what we ask for.

If a team Kadri doesn't want to go to as badly but isn't on his ntc list offers two 1sts, and the team he really wants to go to offers a 2nd, do you really just let Kadri decide? That sounds crazy.

You've come along way from your first post on this!

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

Yeah I agree, work with him to SOME degree. But he doesn't have a full ntc and should not be able to pick his destination, unless they meet what we ask for.

If a team Kadri doesn't want to go to as badly but isn't on his ntc list offers two 1sts, and the team he really wants to go to offers a 2nd, do you really just let Kadri decide? That sounds crazy.

It’s perfectly normal. There’s nuance to every situation, so you have to look at the other side.

Is the player requesting one spot? Or giving you a few options they’d be happy with?

What are the reasons for the preferences? How long will they have to play there (remaining years on the contract)?

If the reasons are more considered or serious and you’re putting the player in a bad situation for years, it may make it feel better to call it “just business” but other players won’t see it that way and players talk.

If Debrusk asks not to be traded to the north east because his stalker lives there or Kadri asks not to be traded to a bunch of US destinations because he’s worried about his family, and you do it anyway, you’re not “just doing business.”

[TOfan]

Mentioned this about a week ago but I think a team that should be getting more attention as far as a potential landing spot for Kadri goes is Boston.

Four 1st round picks in the next two drafts and that is not an organization that appears to want to take a passive stance at any point.

[HitterD]

Its becoming very difficult to project potential buyers vs sellers at this point in the season, as the standings are so tight right now. As mentioned above, Boston could be a really strong buyer with strong assets to trade, currently sitting 3rd in their division but also only 2 points from being out of the playoffs.

Such a weird season so far. Vegas sits 8th overall in league standings, yet has 3 more losses than wins. Only Colorado and perhaps Dallas are separating from the pack.

Are teams going to be willing to make earlier moves to try to gain an advantage?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by HitterD

Its becoming very difficult to project potential buyers vs sellers at this point in the season, as the standings are so tight right now. As mentioned above, Boston could be a really strong buyer with strong assets to trade, currently sitting 3rd in their division but also only 2 points from being out of the playoffs.

Such a weird season so far. Vegas sits 8th overall in league standings, yet has 3 more losses than wins. Only Colorado and perhaps Dallas are separating from the pack.

Are teams going to be willing to make earlier moves to try to gain an advantage?

I think this is a reason trades won't come until later. Teams have to figure out if they are in hunt. Those with injuries right now have to see where they are when their players return.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Mentioned this about a week ago but I think a team that should be getting more attention as far as a potential landing spot for Kadri goes is Boston.

Four 1st round picks in the next two drafts and that is not an organization that appears to want to take a passive stance at any point.

I think Boston is trying to retool on the fly and would rather chase longer term pieces than send futures for a 35 year old. I would think they want someone in the early-mid 20’s if they are going to part with some of those picks

[Knut]

Boston just needs its once a decade deal with the leafs to keep its window open.

Raycroft for Rask
Kessel for Seguin
Carlo for Minten and a first that could be lotto (top 5 protected).

[traptor]

I think Rasmus would be a great fit in Boston. It doesn't look like they have much beyond McAvoy on the right side and he's been fairly injury prone.


He fits in that Pasta, McAvoy, Lindholms window nicely.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I think Boston is trying to retool on the fly and would rather chase longer term pieces than send futures for a 35 year old. I would think they want someone in the early-mid 20’s if they are going to part with some of those picks

Perhaps, yes.

I think we’re not likely to see much until before/after the Olympic break in any event. Teams are going to want to know whether they’re giving up a pick in the 15-20 range or, on the other end of the spectrum, 25-32. It’s just going to take some time.

Is Boston, if they’re solidly in a playoff spot, going to value a late round pick more than a guy like Kadri? I’m not so sure they wouldn’t want Kadri. Personally, I don’t think they’re all that well situated to ‘retool on the fly’’, whatever that means. It was only two seasons ago they chose to bring in Zadorov and Lindholm. I think they want to compete.

I bet you’re right that they would likely want a young player for those picks but not many available, I think. And the ones that are probably aren’t worth a first. For instance, if I’m Boston and I go to Calgary and say, we want to add up front, and the Flames say we got some pieces, we’re willing to talk about Kadri or Frost, I’m taking Kadri all day long.

[NewFan]

I think, it would be nice to get higher drat picks for later years than lower picks for next year. Even 2028 and 2029 picks would good as we can use them as trade chip when the need to bring in some supporting players for the playoffs.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Perhaps, yes.

I think we’re not likely to see much until before/after the Olympic break in any event. Teams are going to want to know whether they’re giving up a pick in the 15-20 range or, on the other end of the spectrum, 25-32. It’s just going to take some time.

Is Boston, if they’re solidly in a playoff spot, going to value a late round pick more than a guy like Kadri? I’m not so sure they wouldn’t want Kadri. Personally, I don’t think they’re all that well situated to ‘retool on the fly’’, whatever that means. It was only two seasons ago they chose to bring in Zadorov and Lindholm. I think they want to compete.

I bet you’re right that they would likely want a young player for those picks but not many available, I think. And the ones that are probably aren’t worth a first. For instance, if I’m Boston and I go to Calgary and say, we want to add up front, and the Flames say we got some pieces, we’re willing to talk about Kadri or Frost, I’m taking Kadri all day long.

More recently than bringing in Lindholm and Zadorov they sold off Carlo, Marchand, Brazeau.

Here are moves that align with retooling on the fly (since you mentioned you didn’t understand that). The Blues offer sheets last year are about as perfect an example you can get. The Blues sold off guys in 2023 to reignite their prospect pool and get some young pieces in. The Bruins did a lot of that last year moving more than a handful of players.

McAvoy and Pasternak are young enough to try and still build around but they have fallen off their contender status. Adding Hagens helps and they have several firsts. To keep their window going using those assets on pieces like Dobson makes sense but I don’t think Kadri moves them into immediate contender status.

Your Frost/Kadri comment doesn’t make sense because the cost is vastly different. All things being equal I prefer Kadri to Frost as well but their price in a trade is going to be vastly different.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think, it would be nice to get higher drat picks for later years than lower picks for next year. Even 2028 and 2029 picks would good as we can use them as trade chip when the need to bring in some supporting players for the playoffs.

Or space out the kids - if lots of our draftees pop at the same time we will have contract problems. Unlikely, but worth keeping in mind.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

What about Laine's money? He hasn't played much this year and did nothing when he did play.

Demidov will get paid but probably won't be much more than Laine is getting.

I agree they have a great chance to win until Suzuki is up and then he could break they bank. But Gallagher, Anderson, Laine and Dach make over $20 mil and contribute very little. Cap going up and these players off the books, they could pay Demidov and Suzuki and keep it going.

Everyone else can be signed for a reasonable contract until they hit UFA.

Sure I guess the question in my mind would be does Hage help you win this year or any of the next 3 years more than Kadri. For me the answer is a resounding no and because of that I would be very interested in Kadri. I think the next 4 years are the better part of their window than the last one or two years before Suzuki and Caufield are up.

Also suspect that Demidov if he keeps his production up asks for about 9% on the low end and 11% on the high end of the cap. That would be what a 7.5 million dollar contract in a 83 million dollar cap would be, so if he asks for 9% when his deal is up that would be 10.2 million a year. The numbers will add up quickly.

Draisaitl signed for 11.33% of cap after a 51 point season and then a 77 point season. Demidov is on pace for 67 points in the season that Draisaitl got 51 points so maybe 11.33% of cap or higher is the correct comparable. That would be 12.9 million a year (or more).

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

lol this is how to #### up the team wizard style


They do not need to rush for Kadri

They may get him but they are not running out of time. They just started.

Window starts to end when they have to pay Demidov 13 million a year. Suspect they know that.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

More recently than bringing in Lindholm and Zadorov they sold off Carlo, Marchand, Brazeau.

Here are moves that align with retooling on the fly (since you mentioned you didn’t understand that). The Blues offer sheets last year are about as perfect an example you can get. The Blues sold off guys in 2023 to reignite their prospect pool and get some young pieces in. The Bruins did a lot of that last year moving more than a handful of players.

McAvoy and Pasternak are young enough to try and still build around but they have fallen off their contender status. Adding Hagens helps and they have several firsts. To keep their window going using those assets on pieces like Dobson makes sense but I don’t think Kadri moves them into immediate contender status.

Your Frost/Kadri comment doesn’t make sense because the cost is vastly different. All things being equal I prefer Kadri to Frost as well but their price in a trade is going to be vastly different.

You’re likely right. It just wouldn’t surprise me to see Boston use some of that draft capital for now.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TOfan

You’re likely right. It just wouldn’t surprise me to see Boston use some of that draft capital for now.

Saw this blog about them chasing Andersson. The author says the Panthers 27 1st and Lohrei as the return. Obviously just fan speculation but they do consider 1 of the 4 1sts they have in the next 2 drafts.

https://causewaycrowd.com/bruins-sea...ndersson-trade

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Window starts to end when they have to pay Demidov 13 million a year. Suspect they know that.

Their window will never close then !

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Sure I guess the question in my mind would be does Hage help you win this year or any of the next 3 years more than Kadri. For me the answer is a resounding no and because of that I would be very interested in Kadri. I think the next 4 years are the better part of their window than the last one or two years before Suzuki and Caufield are up.

Also suspect that Demidov if he keeps his production up asks for about 9% on the low end and 11% on the high end of the cap. That would be what a 7.5 million dollar contract in a 83 million dollar cap would be, so if he asks for 9% when his deal is up that would be 10.2 million a year. The numbers will add up quickly.

Draisaitl signed for 11.33% of cap after a 51 point season and then a 77 point season. Demidov is on pace for 67 points in the season that Draisaitl got 51 points so maybe 11.33% of cap or higher is the correct comparable. That would be 12.9 million a year (or more).

The problem with your analysis is that Draisaitl had 77 points, but that was good for 8th the NHL in points. 77 points last year was outside the top 30. Scoring has elevated and because of this a 77-point Demidov is not get 11.33% of the cap.

I agree that Kadri helps the habs more in the next 3 years than Hage does, but will Kadri be the only player available and can you get someone else or Kadri and keep Hage.

Montreal also could make that big move next year, even with Kadri I doubt they win the cup or become the top teams in the East.

Kadri's age also puts them in a spot if they start to truly contend even next year and Kadri declines, would it have been better to wait until the summer or next year for a better fit than Kadri.

If I'm Conroy, I'm ok to make a move and let them keep Hage.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Window starts to end when they have to pay Demidov 13 million a year. Suspect they know that.

Historically, I believe, teams that win most often do so in the early years of their upswing (when their highest performing players are on ELCs or lower second contracts and can be complimented with more naturally expensive veterans). Those teams are also the most likely to repeat.

If they don’t, they face a retool (sometimes significant) to re-open the window. You have one-offs that buck the trend (usually thanks to generational players + stellar goaltending) but it’s less common.

Montreal is probably has this year and next to legitimately contend before they face at least a small retool, turning over 30-40% of the roster. The core is set, but with Hutson and Demidov increases coming over the next two years it makes a ton of sense for them to push the chips in this year and try to become legitimate contenders.