2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I don't think that's a deal Utah does
The problem of having too many forwards will be solved by moving guys like Crouse and Hayton. it also remains to be seen what they do with Schmaltz and if he's there long-term.

The problem of potentially having too many centers is solved by playing Iginla on the wing, which he may excel at because of his board work.

Desnoyer is a key piece for them long-term, probably the guy they are thinking is their #2 pivot to complement Cooley.

And if they want to try and improve the team in an accelerated way, they have a ton of other prospects and draft capital to leverage.

There is no need for them to move a guy like Desonyer.

To be fair, I am primarily suggesting that Desnoyers may be less untouchable than Iginla.

The numbers game is going to get interesting with the Mammoth. Even if Hayton and Crouse are out, Schmaltz would be hard for them to walk away from this summer unless they want to gamble on Iginla or Desnoyers being ready for #2C next season. I think they need to offer him an extension and I doubt he takes a short, cheap deal.

And then there is But. #12OA 2023 pick who is already knocking on the door and will want a top 6 LW spot.

Their near term future top 6 is still crowded:
Peterka-Cooley-Keller
But-Schmaltz-Guenther
X: Iginla, Desnoyers

Someone in that group is going to be on the third line... and that is writing off a guy like Beaudoin who was also a 2024 1st round pick (#24). With the current depth chart, he's hoping to get #3C but likely won't even get that.

And, of course, Iginla may or may not be satisfied playing wing. Just because the team is okay moving him to the wing to make the numbers work doesn't mean he will be happy with it. If Iginla joins the team as a C it will be harder to push him to the wing when Desnoyers shows up unless Iginla is really struggling.

Then the next problem will be the cap structure. With that many star players you eventually run out of cap space to keep all of them.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by My2Cents

Don't shortcut the rebuild. We are not in the position to be trading tons of futures for something unproven. Keep the picks, trade for picks, if we can get someone young cheap do it. But don't pay a significant price for a gamble. Take the picks for the gambles.

IMO, if something like the 1st D. Hamilton trade comes around, then the Flames should be in on it. They traded 1st(#15 - Senyshyn, 16 GP) + 2 x 2nds(#45 - Frosbacka-Karlsson 29 GP, #52 - Lauzon, 337+ GP) for a 22-year-old #2D.

[Gugstanley]

Utah has some interesting pieces. It doesn't sound like they are retaining Schmaltz and may be worn out on Hayton. That team worries me because they have a lot of low drive guys that are alright losing.

They do have some great prospects. One guy I would like is But.

[wired]

Originally Posted by Fan69

This is a joke right?

If the kid has elite talent, I agree the team should try to grab him, but no where near that cost.

I, am kind of on the fence with bringing Iggy or his kid into the organization.

[Groot]

Iggy is already part of the organization.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Utah is not in a position to be offering top prospects or picks at the moment with the way they’ve slid down the standings and are barely WC. They probably wait for a few more ELCs to come up, then spend some assets in the offseason on a seasoned vet or two that could help make a very good push next season.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Utah is not in a position to be offering top prospects or picks at the moment with the way they’ve slid down the standings and are barely WC. They probably wait for a few more ELCs to come up, then spend some assets in the offseason on a seasoned vet or two that could help make a very good push next season.

I suspect the likelihood that Ryan Smith bought a hockey team to move it to Utah to sit on assets while waiting for the perfect time to try to make the playoffs is quite low. Add in the fact that the West is quite weak this year and I fully expect them to trade future assets away at the deadline for players that could help them this year (and potentially beyond).

I would be very surprised if a team that has 27 million in cap space next offseason and only a couple players of substance to sign does not try to add at least one winger and one dman this season before the trade deadline and trades picks and prospects to acquire those players. I could be wrong but most teams that are close to the playoffs, have an excess of picks and prospects and have an owner who has made it clear that he wants a winner don’t sit around and wait.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Wolven

I do not think that Tij is realistic. There is too much significance wrapped around him as the first prospect of the Utah iteration of the franchise.

From the last time we poked around the Mammoth, it is likely more feasible to try and acquire Desnoyers than to get Iginla out of that franchise. But that would assume that you can convince them that Cooley and Iginla are their 1-2 centers and that Desnoyers won't be satisfied playing wing or #3C, which is reasonable considering many Cs selected in the top of the draft are not interested in being third line players or changing to wing.

Also, their top 6 is getting pretty overloaded:
Keller-Cooley-Peterka
Crouse-Schmaltz-Guenther
HM: But, Hayton

Then throw on Iginla and Desnoyers and there is still 1-2 more bodies than there is spots in the top 6 and that is assuming Schmaltz and Crouse walk over the next couple of seasons.

How close does Kadri (50% retained) + Andersson (with extension) get you to Desnoyers? I would throw in the Vegas 1st too, if needed, but that is starting to feel like a crazy offer considering what we think we could get back from those assets independently.

So, they trade Denoyers because they have too many centres, but get Kadri as a large part of the return?

They guys they move out are Crouse, Hayton and Schmaltz. Make room for the cheaper, younger players who project to be better.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Wolven

To be fair, I am primarily suggesting that Desnoyers may be less untouchable than Iginla.

The numbers game is going to get interesting with the Mammoth. Even if Hayton and Crouse are out, Schmaltz would be hard for them to walk away from this summer unless they want to gamble on Iginla or Desnoyers being ready for #2C next season. I think they need to offer him an extension and I doubt he takes a short, cheap deal.

And then there is But. #12OA 2023 pick who is already knocking on the door and will want a top 6 LW spot.

Their near term future top 6 is still crowded:
Peterka-Cooley-Keller
But-Schmaltz-Guenther
X: Iginla, Desnoyers

Someone in that group is going to be on the third line... and that is writing off a guy like Beaudoin who was also a 2024 1st round pick (#24). With the current depth chart, he's hoping to get #3C but likely won't even get that.

And, of course, Iginla may or may not be satisfied playing wing. Just because the team is okay moving him to the wing to make the numbers work doesn't mean he will be happy with it. If Iginla joins the team as a C it will be harder to push him to the wing when Desnoyers shows up unless Iginla is really struggling.

Then the next problem will be the cap structure. With that many star players you eventually run out of cap space to keep all of them.

I hear you on the broader points, but I still think it is highly unlikely.
Their forward group is actually setting up nicely. I think guys like But and Beaudoin project to be more third liners anyways, that can play up the line-up sometime but are ideally suited in more of a middle 6 role. But could also be a complementary player on a higher line.

So I think it shapes up something this in terms of the top 6.

Peterka-Cooley-Keller
Iggy-Desnoyers-Guenther

And then some of the veterans, like Schmaltz, Crouse, Nayton start to move down or move out.

[Macho0978]

Desnoyer is a key peice for Utah as he projects to be a 2 way star rather than just an offensive star.

I don't think Utah is a great trade partner, unless Weegar wants to go there. I think they need more vets that play a PK role and D.

Coleman 50% RS and Weegar

for

Crouse, Lamoureux, top 10 protected 26 1st, 2nd in 27

I think this is about what we get. Not sure if I'm a fan of the return either.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

I suspect the likelihood that Ryan Smith bought a hockey team to move it to Utah to sit on assets while waiting for the perfect time to try to make the playoffs is quite low. Add in the fact that the West is quite weak this year and I fully expect them to trade future assets away at the deadline for players that could help them this year (and potentially beyond).

I would be very surprised if a team that has 27 million in cap space next offseason and only a couple players of substance to sign does not try to add at least one winger and one dman this season before the trade deadline and trades picks and prospects to acquire those players. I could be wrong but most teams that are close to the playoffs, have an excess of picks and prospects and have an owner who has made it clear that he wants a winner don’t sit around and wait.

Even if you’re right, doubt GMBA wants to pay for Andersson (pending UFA) or an aging Kadri if he is going to pay up the assets mentioned. MAYBE Coleman, but you’re not getting a top prospect for Coleman.

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Desnoyer is a key peice for Utah as he projects to be a 2 way star rather than just an offensive star.

I don't think Utah is a great trade partner, unless Weegar wants to go there. I think they need more vets that play a PK role and D.

Coleman 50% RS and Weegar

for

Crouse, Lamoureux, top 10 protected 26 1st, 2nd in 27

I think this is about what we get. Not sure if I'm a fan of the return either.

Okay, if we’re trading Weegar we better be getting a hell of a lot more than that. Especially since Weegar would be playing with Sergachev. I definitely would be asking about Tij if Weegs ever was a rumor to Utah.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Even if you’re right, doubt GMBA wants to pay for Andersson (pending UFA) or an aging Kadri if he is going to pay up the assets mentioned. MAYBE Coleman, but you’re not getting a top prospect for Coleman.



Okay, if we’re trading Weegar we better be getting a hell of a lot more than that. Especially since Weegar would be playing with Sergachev. I definitely would be asking about Tij if Weegs ever was a rumor to Utah.

We can flip Crouse for a pick. He is a good player just not a high producer. I can see high end teams wanting him

If ras would sign there I would do ras but why do they want ras. They aren’t very good and Cooley is hurt. They are likely to sell at the deadline

I see them loading up this summer after selling and adding another top 10 pick

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Even if you’re right, doubt GMBA wants to pay for Andersson (pending UFA) or an aging Kadri if he is going to pay up the assets mentioned. MAYBE Coleman, but you’re not getting a top prospect for Coleman.

The Lightning gave up two firsts and a 2nd last year Gourde and Bjorkstrand. Teams that want to win frequently give up high picks and prospects for older players, largely because they know that picks and prospects don’t help you win but existing players do. Suspect that is the mindset that Utah is in this year. Their 1st, three 2nd and a third this year do nothing for them unless they are concerned about winning in 2031 or beyond. The same can be said for most of their prospects with the exception of one or two. Not sure what they will trade away but I really doubt they will stand pat. I could see them offering their 1st and the highest of their three 2nds for Coleman. At some point they are going to want to have some players on that roster that know how to win.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

The Lightning gave up two firsts and a 2nd last year Gourde and Bjorkstrand. Teams that want to win frequently give up high picks and prospects for older players, largely because they know that picks and prospects don’t help you win but existing players do. Suspect that is the mindset that Utah is in this year. Their 1st, three 2nd and a third this year do nothing for them unless they are concerned about winning in 2031 or beyond. The same can be said for most of their prospects with the exception of one or two. Not sure what they will trade away but I really doubt they will stand pat. I could see them offering their 1st and the highest of their three 2nds for Coleman. At some point they are going to want to have some players on that roster that know how to win.

When your top center (Cooley) is out for a month more and also being in the toughest division in the league, I doubt Utah is buying. I just don't see it. It's better to make your big chips pushes in the offseason when everyone is at ground zero. That's what they did with Sergachev, and likely what they'll do with buying vets. Ideally, Kadri would be a perfect center to play behind Cooley. That would be an off-season move though.

[Royle9]

I know for 110% certainty that Utah is not trading Iggy JR.
Obviously you can’t say ever, but they rolled out the platinum carpet treatment including private jets etc for the family when he was drafted.

They’re certain he becomes a star there.

Now you could always EA our franchise and give them everything we have for 1 guy but it’s not realistic. I’d toss any idea of him in CGY anytime soon to the side.

[ColossusXIII]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Just because a team shops a player, it doesn’t mean they are desperate or willing to accept spare parts.

IMO you’re describing a situation where the team prefers keeping the player over trading them.

Yes, I'd be thrilled with trades that are very fair for both sides for those two; they're win-now assets that just aren't worth as much to us as their equivalent value in futures.

If they're not being shopped and the threshold we're waiting on is an offer we can't say no to (I read that as something that would be viewed by neutral parties as the Flames clearly winning the trade) that sounds to me like the likely outcome is them not moving this season, which feels like it would be a missed opportunity.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by ColossusXIII

Yes, I'd be thrilled with trades that are very fair for both sides for those two; they're win-now assets that just aren't worth as much to us as their equivalent value in futures.

If they're not being shopped and the threshold we're waiting on is an offer we can't say no to (I read that as something that would be viewed by neutral parties as the Flames clearly winning the trade) that sounds to me like the likely outcome is them not moving this season, which feels like it would be a missed opportunity.

I hope their starting position is not that the Flames lose the trade. Usually when someone else wants your asset you need an offer you cannot say no to. When you desperately want to get rid of an asset it is a fire sale and your range is much broader, you are willing to take a substantive loss to move the asset.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I know for 110% certainty that Utah is not trading Iggy JR.
Obviously you can’t say ever, but they rolled out the platinum carpet treatment including private jets etc for the family when he was drafted.

They’re certain he becomes a star there.

Now you could always EA our franchise and give them everything we have for 1 guy but it’s not realistic. I’d toss any idea of him in CGY anytime soon to the side.

Let him develop there and then sign here in a couple years as a Ufa

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Let him develop there and then sign here in a couple years as a Ufa

Yeah, he can play here when he is 45 at the end of his HoF career to distract us from how bad the Flames are.

[GioforPM]

All of these trade proposals are arguments about just how hard it is for Conroy to make a decent deal with a willing team, which in turn shows why people need to be a little patient. Getting a team that needs the player, which has assets Calgary wants and which is willing to part with those assets is just not as simple as people seem to expect.