2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Is there a quote where they said they want to draft at the top? Pepsi said they've said that they do want to draft at the top.

Is there a quote?

I would suggest it is more incumbent on you to show the quote where they said

Originally Posted by ComixZone

They’ve said it all along - they have zero desire to draft at the top.

Your wording “all along” implies they have said it more than once so it should not be hard to find. That is the mistruth in my opinion.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I would suggest it is more incumbent on you to show the quote where they said



Your wording “all along” implies they have said it more than once so it should not be hard to find. That is the mistruth in my opinion.

The Flames have been pretty steadfast with their plans. It doesn't include bottoming out.

Here are are a few:

Maloney

"The only time you enjoy the first pick of the draft is at the draft—there’s a lot of suffering to get there, and that’s the farthest from our mind. No one has an appetite to just burn it to the studs, take it all down."

"We’re so conscious of the culture here, and creating the right environment to grow these players, and we feel it’s better to grow winning players in a winning environment. We’re still going to lean on our veterans, but leave the opportunity for some younger players to come in when they’re ready. I don’t think the overall approach is changing as we sit here Nov. 22."

On ownership and rebuilds: "No, I don’t think that’s accurate [that ownership won't allow a rebuild]. ... No one has an appetite to just burn it to the studs, take it all down. There’s examples out there right now where you’re talking potentially decades it can take to rebuild. The draft is such an inexact thing. ... We prefer a Dallas model, where they got Miro Heiskanen at three, but also got good players in the 20s, in the 30s. We’ve got to be better in our drafting and developing, versus saying, ‘let’s just lose easy for everybody.’ We don’t want that culture as part of this organization."

Dismissing the allure of a top pick: "In a fantasy world, yeah. Unfortunately, this isn’t fantasy hockey. There’s not even agreement anymore [on who would be first overall]. There’s very few franchise players in every draft. Regardless of where we pick—one, five, 10, our hope is that we get a top-level player, and that’s not our focus at all."

Conroy

On balancing short- and long-term goals without a full rebuild: "I know some people believe in the full rebuild. Personally, I feel you want to be competitive, and you want your team to win. So, there is a balance between short- and long-term. You don’t know what you’re going to get for certain assets that you have — or what’s to come. Or maybe somebody here wants to re-sign with you. All those things are still out there. So, you’re looking at your team, who’s going to be your top line? What positions are filled? Who’s coming in the system? Two, three years down the road, how is this team going to look — and who’s going to be here long-term and who’s going to be on a shorter term?"

On not getting cornerstone players without being bad: "No, you don’t [get a cornerstone player like Connor Bedard without being bad]."

n avoiding the bottom and not accepting losing: "Wherever you do pick, you have to make the best pick you can. To be at the very bottom, that’s a lot of pain. And the one thing you don’t want to do, you never want to accept losing because you can’t just tell a team, 'Now we’re going to turn it on and win' with people who’ve gotten used to losing. For me, that doesn’t work."

Tanking not on the menu

On rebuild on the fly: “You make a deal for Lindholm and bring back (Andrei) Kuzmenko, you’re trying to rebuild on the fly. We’ve added some assets. You’re rebuilding, but you want to be competitive and a good team because that’s how the Zarys, and the Pospisils, and all the young guys become better, in my mind. You’re doing this retool on the fly and that’s how we’re going to become better.”

If you're competitive and a 'good team', you're not drafting in the top spots.

So sure, be pedantic and argue they didn't say they don't want to pick at the top. They've just said all the stuff that would exclude them from being able to pick at the top.

Like I said - I'll be surprised, and happy, if they do make some pure future-based moves (which would push them to drafting at the top).

[Bert]

FYI being competitive doesn’t mean not bottoming out. Most night the flames are competitive, and lose. Which is ok. I think you’re misunderstanding to where they don’t want to get blown out every game and tank the young players confidence. That IMO is not being competitive

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Bert

FYI being competitive doesn’t mean not bottoming out. Most night the flames are competitive, and lose. Which is ok. I think you’re misunderstanding to where they don’t want to get blown out every game and tank the young players confidence. That IMO is not being competitive

Being competitive has resulted in them not bottoming out. The results show that. Being competitive has resulted in mushy middle finishes and no bottoming out. This exact approach across three seasons has resulted in very similar, non-bottoming out results. You can't ignore that.

I think in order to change that outcome, management has to intervene with a 'bold' move or two.

[TherapyforGlencross]

Flames are 4-2 against playoff teams during the month of December. Conroy has to make a move soon or else we end up with the same result as last year.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Is there a quote where they said they want to draft at the top? Pepsi said they've said that they do want to draft at the top.

Is there a quote?

Here’s what Conroy has said:

We all want top-5 picks, I mean honestly. But to sacrifice a whole team for a top-5 pick, that doesn’t make any sense. Like I’ve always said, you can’t tell someone to lose. As long as these guys never believe in the thought of ‘oh, it’s OK to lose, we’re going to win every night. We want to win, we want to win.’ And that’s got to be the message, because you can’t send mixed messages to them. We all would love a top-5 pick. But you know what? We’re going to make a good pick with where we have our picks.

As a reminder, here’s what you said:

Originally Posted by ComixZone

They’ve said it all along - they have zero desire to draft at the top.

So, wrong. And then you go this direction:

Originally Posted by ComixZone

The Flames have been pretty steadfast with their plans. It doesn't include bottoming out.

If you're competitive and a 'good team', you're not drafting in the top spots.

So sure, be pedantic and argue they didn't say they don't want to pick at the top. They've just said all the stuff that would exclude them from being able to pick at the top.

Like I said - I'll be surprised, and happy, if they do make some pure future-based moves (which would push them to drafting at the top).

And honestly man, this crap is so tired. Don’t shift from “they have zero desire to draft at the top” to “they don’t want to tank,” pretend you’re saying the same thing, and try to preempt anyone saying otherwise by calling it “pedantic” to point out the thing you said isn’t true when you knew it wasn’t which is why you started saying something different.

Seriously annoying.

And man, I say this with love, nobody should have a dozen Don Maloney quotes in their back pocket. Let it GO. There are other things to talk about.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

The Flames have been pretty steadfast with their plans. It doesn't include bottoming out.

Their actions spoke quite loudly in trading 7 of their vets, most of them core players when Conroy took over.

Regardless of what they say in the media, their actions really demonstrate that their plan last season was to be a bottom-5 team. The guys in the locker room ruined that plan but they were playing way above where ANYONE expected.

Players exceeding expectations is not the same thing as a GM changing the plan.

This year the plan is being doubled down upon. Andersson is being traded and maybe one or two more vets. Kicking legs out from under the table.

Soon people are going to be complaining about how vets like Zary are on the team preventing the tank.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Here’s what Conroy has said:


As a reminder, here’s what you said:


So, wrong. And then you go this direction:


And honestly man, this crap is so tired. Don’t shift from “they have zero desire to draft at the top” to “they don’t want to tank,” pretend you’re saying the same thing, and try to preempt anyone saying otherwise by calling it “pedantic” to point out the thing you said isn’t true when you knew it wasn’t which is why you started saying something different.

Seriously annoying.

And man, I say this with love, nobody should have a dozen Don Maloney quotes in their back pocket. Let it GO. There are other things to talk about.

Dude, I said one thing about how I believe they'll proceed.

You decided to blow up on it.

I, looking at how they handled last year, and their goals heading into this season, pondered that we'll probably see a hockey trade, and maybe that's it - because that's what they've said publicly this year (and largely since Conroy took over) - that they don't want to 'sacrifice a whole team', but instead continually add/get younger to the team as they re-tool on the fly. Also, one of the insiders on here openly wondered about that as well (with them scouting young players around the league).

You're the one who flipped back to this conversation.

Originally Posted by Wolven

Their actions spoke quite loudly in trading 7 of their vets, most of them core players when Conroy took over.

Regardless of what they say in the media, their actions really demonstrate that their plan last season was to be a bottom-5 team. The guys in the locker room ruined that plan but they were playing way above where ANYONE expected.

Players exceeding expectations is not the same thing as a GM changing the plan.

This year the plan is being doubled down upon. Andersson is being traded and maybe one or two more vets. Kicking legs out from under the table.

Soon people are going to be complaining about how vets like Zary are on the team preventing the tank.

You're assuming that does happen, I was simply putting out that they haven't done that so far - and they might (or probably?) won't do that. We'll see. Them kicking the legs out from under the table isn't something they've done, and that'd probably be viewed as 'tanking', no? Which they've said they aren't going to do.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Here’s what Conroy has said:


As a reminder, here’s what you said:


So, wrong. And then you go this direction:


And honestly man, this crap is so tired. Don’t shift from “they have zero desire to draft at the top” to “they don’t want to tank,” pretend you’re saying the same thing, and try to preempt anyone saying otherwise by calling it “pedantic” to point out the thing you said isn’t true when you knew it wasn’t which is why you started saying something different.

Seriously annoying.

And man, I say this with love, nobody should have a dozen Don Maloney quotes in their back pocket. Let it GO. There are other things to talk about.

Seems like he wants a top 5 pick, because he said it and all.

[Fan69]

If a rebiggle is really what they are after i would he really curious how they plan to get a young center? Everyone and their dogs fleas have known Calgary is after a center hasn't happened? So i am curious what they actually think.

Moving forward i think our defence looks not great but not bad either; a lot if it dependent on how parekh turns out. We have a slew of wingers, at least teo should be top six along with Coronnato; and goaltending is solid.

Now i have proposed before that a young center would completely change the dynamic of the team trouble is is who in the league is available that fits that that the team is willing to give up?

Rebiggling is possible i think the question is is where do you get the center? Who has a spare center that may be a top six? To my mind maybe only SJ?

[Bonded]

I can post the quotes from the Sharks and Grier that sound the same for 15th time if that helps

[ResAlien]

I don’t follow all this silliness too closely, what's with some posters and rebiggle? Reminds me of the Brent Sutter nickname days.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

I don’t follow all this silliness too closely, what's with some posters and rebiggle? Reminds me of the Brent Sutter nickname days.

Maloney said ‘rebuild’ in his infamous interview, tried to correct himself in mid-word, and it came out ‘rebiggle’.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

I don’t follow all this silliness too closely, what's with some posters and rebiggle? Reminds me of the Brent Sutter nickname days.

Our PoHo Don "Bologna" Maloney during his infamous 1st period intermission interview had a seniors moment and said rebiggle instead of rebuild or retool

[Strange Brew]

Sure seems likely that when Andersson gets traded it will be for a draft pick and a young player that can play right away. Especially if the team continues their current play, no way will Conroy look to fully subtract from the team and replace with an AHLer.

There’s no doubt he’s committed to building through the draft but also no interest in totally gutting the team in order to get to the bottom of the standings. I guess that’s just stating the obvious though.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Dude, I said one thing about how I believe they'll proceed.

You decided to blow up on it.

I, looking at how they handled last year, and their goals heading into this season, pondered that we'll probably see a hockey trade, and maybe that's it - because that's what they've said publicly this year (and largely since Conroy took over) - that they don't want to 'sacrifice a whole team', but instead continually add/get younger to the team as they re-tool on the fly. Also, one of the insiders on here openly wondered about that as well (with them scouting young players around the league).

You're the one who flipped back to this conversation.

Ah cool man. Not only did Conroy and co not say the thing you said they said but now you’re pretending you didn’t even say they said the thing so it’s actually someone else that brought that conversation up, even though you had paragraphs of quotes ready to go on the topic lol.

I mean, if I’m the one who flipped back to this conversation I’m not sure how I did it by saying “we don’t need to bring up this made up junk at every opportunity.” I guess I was just saying it to a ghost or an empty post. Oh well. Must be getting visits from the Ghost of Christmas Tank or something equally dumb.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Ah cool man. Not only did Conroy and co not say the thing you said they said but now you’re pretending you didn’t even say they said the thing so it’s actually someone else that brought that conversation up, even though you had paragraphs of quotes ready to go on the topic lol.

I mean, if I’m the one who flipped back to this conversation I’m not sure how I did it by saying “we don’t need to bring up this made up junk at every opportunity.” I guess I was just saying it to a ghost or an empty post. Oh well. Must be getting visits from the Ghost of Christmas Tank or something equally dumb.

Are you okay? This really doesn't seem like something worth getting worked up about.

It is Christmas time, just be nice to each other!

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Here’s what Conroy has said:


As a reminder, here’s what you said:


So, wrong. And then you go this direction:


And honestly man, this crap is so tired. Don’t shift from “they have zero desire to draft at the top” to “they don’t want to tank,” pretend you’re saying the same thing, and try to preempt anyone saying otherwise by calling it “pedantic” to point out the thing you said isn’t true when you knew it wasn’t which is why you started saying something different.

Seriously annoying.

And man, I say this with love, nobody should have a dozen Don Maloney quotes in their back pocket. Let it GO. There are other things to talk about.

I think its funny that the quote you chose was Conroy saying " sure, we "want" one but we will absolutely not do anything to facilitate that happening." So essentially hes saying they want one to fall into their laps a la Bruins Kessel trade or something.

Hes basically the only person outside of the players who could do things that would essentially guarantee that outcome and he says in your quote he won't do those things.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

You must be new here

Sec is Gifs, Royle will give us some words later

Sec is gifs but really bad with them, especially after reading his actual text follow up later in the thread. Remember his train leaving the station gif back in the summer? I know I know "it's fun!!!" But it's actual alot of bull####t too

[robertsfanatic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Sure seems likely that when Andersson gets traded it will be for a draft pick and a young player that can play right away. Especially if the team continues their current play, no way will Conroy look to fully subtract from the team and replace with an AHLer.

i think you're right that some NHL ready players may come back through these trades (including Coleman and Kadri) but i'm guessing he tries for a center if anything....otherwise i think he goes for mostly picks.

i think they can get by with their current d-corps for a year or 2.