2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I also think the culture rot in Edmonton came from the top. Lowe, nepotism in the hockey ops and coaching staffs. It wasn’t just the wrong mix of vets.

I seem to recall some story about Ference trying to upbraid the cocky youngsters about not playing the right way and was basically told to "STFU, old man".

As SuperMatt pointed out, vets can only do so much. The Oilers organizational rot is to overvalue skilled forwards, and there was no way they were going to reprimand Taylor Hall for being disrespectful to Andrew Ference.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

https://twitter.com/user/status/2009684216917963024

There. We’ve got the best insider in the business telling the Flames to give their balls a tug.

This is our opportunity to cash in, he likely knows what the chatter is behind the scenes and is saying this is a real chance to cash in.

Do the work Connie. Get it done.

All 3, you’re goin’.

They have been gifted a chance to accelerate this rebuild IMO

A potential top 5 pick in a strong draft.

And two UFA contracts that people didn't think would age well into their late 30s in Coleman and Kadri have tremendous value still even with those players being 35+

IMO it would be negligent to not take advantage of the opportunity that has presented itself here for the Flames with their poor season this year.

Manage this effectively and you have the chance to accelerate the rebuild, not extend it.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Wolven

lol - strong position? Aren't we just speculating? Why do you have a strong position to bring a guy like Kotkaniemi in to the organization? Who cares about a minor upgrade to our 4th line after trading away 2-3 of our best players?

If it is just about increasing the value of a Kadri trade, do you really think taking back Kotkaniemi has more value than 50% retention? I think the return would be close to the same or retention may bring back more value.

If retention brings back more value in picks/prospects than a Kotkaniemi cap dump, which would you do?

I don’t have a strong opinion. I’d absolutely take the better deal if they were mutually exclusive. You are using absolutes and pretty vigorous in making your point. If you don’t even know what is being offered to take KK how can you be set against it?

Sure, if its a 2nd you tell CAR to look somewhere else.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Part of Kotkaniemi's problem is the expectations in Montreal (high pick) and then Carolina (ridiculous offer sheet) were always too high.

The guy does have a career high 43 points and has averaged 33 points per 82 games for his career.

If acquiring him allows you to get the best return for an asset, while also getting additional assets for taking on his contract, it's a good move.

Plus you also get a body that still has potential as a strong defensive bottom 6 forward, maybe you can turn him into a valuable asset, and hopefully be able to flip him later after the cap goes up and $5M isn't as much of an issue.

That's exactly how you weaponize the cap space.

It’s moot. Another team will get him and a bunch of assets for future considerations or equivalent.

MTL or WPG

Great opportunity for Jets to restock the cabinet, plus their draft position this summer. They’ll do a one year retool and kick our ass for the next ten.

Flames are just a punching bag right now. It really feels like they are OK with that.

I think Conroy will learn that his devotion to his players and making them happy is much greater than the team’s devotion to him.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

It’s moot. Another team will get him and a bunch of assets for future considerations or equivalent.

MTL or WPG

Great opportunity for Jets to restock the cabinet, plus their draft position this summer. They’ll do a one year retool and kick our ass for the next ten.

Flames are just a punching bag right now. It really feels like they are OK with that.

I think Conroy will learn that his devotion to his players and making them happy is much greater than the team’s devotion to him.

Are we complaining about the missed opportunity that has not been missed yet (if it is even an opportunity) to pick up Kotkaniemi?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Manage this effectively and you have the chance to accelerate the rebuild, not extend it.

We’ll know in a couple months how truly risk-averse this organization is. As LeBrun (and many others) have remarked, ownership is reluctant to give up on a season. And they seem afraid to trade away core veterans who want to be here.

I expect people are already preparing their “Conroy’s demands weren’t met - did you expect him to give them away for free” excuses. But the odds are low that Kadri (35) and Coleman’s (34) value will as high a year from now as they are today. If the braintrust of this team doesn’t do the painful but shrewd thing from an asset-management perspective, we’ll have our answer about the organizational DNA.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Coleman, Kadri (outside of his big year in Colorado), Weegar, Bahl, Kirkland, Pachal.

All those players had pretty similar numbers in Calgary to their previous 3 seasons on other teams. I meant that Calgary isn't exactly a team you go to, so you can find your offense. I should've specified I was thinking of forwards. I don't remember a forward coming here and his production jumping up like Zegras this year.

You signed an 87 point player in Kadri that turned into a 56 point player the next season. Coleman was pretty consistent with his career. His points also took a step back when he got here. He went from 31 points in 55 games in Tampa to 33 points in 82 games in Calgary.

Kirkland's and Pachal's 2 and 3 goal seasons, while career years don't exactly move the needle, and are right back in their roles of 13th F/7th D.

Weegar did catch lightning in a bottle putting up 20 in the one year, but he also took a step back offensively it his 1st year here. Zadorov also put up 14, at some point but I again was thinking of forwards when I wrote it.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

We’ll know in a couple months how truly risk-averse this organization is. As LeBrun (and many others) have remarked, ownership is reluctant to give up on a season. And they seem afraid to trade away core veterans who want to be here.

I expect people are already preparing their “Conroy’s demands weren’t met - did you expect him to give them away for free” excuses. But the odds are low that Kadri (35) and Coleman’s (34) value will as high a year from now as they are today. If the braintrust of this team doesn’t do the painful but shrewd thing from an asset-management perspective, we’ll have our answer about the organizational DNA.

And if they do I suspect people are already preparing their “they waited too long and should have done it earlier” answers. Everyone has homework to do.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

They have been gifted a chance to accelerate this rebuild IMO

A potential top 5 pick in a strong draft.

And two UFA contracts that people didn't think would age well into their late 30s in Coleman and Kadri have tremendous value still even with those players being 35+

IMO it would be negligent to not take advantage of the opportunity that has presented itself here for the Flames with their poor season this year.

Manage this effectively and you have the chance to accelerate the rebuild, not extend it.

Agree with this. San Jose rebuild is seen as good at this point just because they ended up Celebrini. Anyone else in that draft may still end up being really good - but Celebrini is the franchise changing talent.

Doubtful this year's draft guys are at Celebrini's level just because that is a rare outcome - but if the Sharks don't have him no one is calling them a future contender yet.

[keenan87]

I have been thinking. A lot of folks have been talking about how trades need to get done before the Olympic freeze. Why does it have to be that way?

For instance, wouldn't it be better for GMs to spend the extra 2 weeks discussing transactions - and then we see a ton of deals announced the day after the freeze? Similar to how Free Agency works.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I have been thinking. A lot of folks have been talking about how trades need to get done before the Olympic freeze. Why does it have to be that way?

For instance, wouldn't it be better for GMs to spend the extra 2 weeks discussing transactions - and then we see a ton of deals announced the day after the freeze? Similar to how Free Agency works.

So much of the fan bases anxiety comes from boredom. The draft, and trades leading up to it are just about the only interesting thing this season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

All those players had pretty similar numbers in Calgary to their previous 3 seasons on other teams. I meant that Calgary isn't exactly a team you go to, so you can find your offense. I should've specified I was thinking of forwards. I don't remember a forward coming here and his production jumping up like Zegras this year.

You signed an 87 point player in Kadri that turned into a 56 point player the next season. Coleman was pretty consistent with his career. His points also took a step back when he got here. He went from 31 points in 55 games in Tampa to 33 points in 82 games in Calgary.

Kirkland's and Pachal's 2 and 3 goal seasons, while career years don't exactly move the needle, and are right back in their roles of 13th F/7th D.

Weegar did catch lightning in a bottle putting up 20 in the one year, but he also took a step back offensively it his 1st year here. Zadorov also put up 14, at some point but I again was thinking of forwards when I wrote it.

I figured there's be excuses for all those examples.

Kadri had one 87 point year, where he filled in for Mackinnon with Rantanen on his wing. The rest were all lower than what he's done in Calgary.

Coleman has his best season here and looks to be having his second best this season.

Bahl didn't have "similar numbers" - he doubled his points.

I'm not sure why defencemen's points don't count. And the thing about forwards is that Calgary just hasn't brought many in over the last few years. Frost, Farabee, Sharangovich are the main ones. I guess Kuzemenko (who had a big bump when he arrived but then fell off). Calgary has just not imported many forwards in the last 5 years. They were more working Coronato/Zary/Klapka/Pospisil into the lineup.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I have been thinking. A lot of folks have been talking about how trades need to get done before the Olympic freeze. Why does it have to be that way?

For instance, wouldn't it be better for GMs to spend the extra 2 weeks discussing transactions - and then we see a ton of deals announced the day after the freeze? Similar to how Free Agency works.

On here? Because people are very impatient.

In real life? Probably because it gives the player a chance to pack, move and get set-up in the new city he is playing with.

I think for Kadri and Coleman the trade deadline is way more realistic but folks on here will not be happy if they are not traded before the Olympic freeze and we will be reading a lot of "wasted opportunity" posts.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I don’t have a strong opinion. I’d absolutely take the better deal if they were mutually exclusive. You are using absolutes and pretty vigorous in making your point. If you don’t even know what is being offered to take KK how can you be set against it?

Sure, if its a 2nd you tell CAR to look somewhere else.

Right, without talking about returns, I do not see the upside of acquiring KK and would rather see more of our existing prospect base get time with the big club.

Seeking out bottom 6 forwards is not that exciting. I would rather have more Kuznetsov stories where Stromgren, Kerins, Morton, etc. get real play time and demonstrate whether they are able to play in the NHL or should be released from the organization.

Also, what are the chances that the Flames are on KK's 10 team no trade list?

[442scotty]

Conroy has been doing a pretty good job trading paper clips to someone who likes paper clips in exchange for something more valuable. Most people recognize this strategy. Keep up the good work Conny!

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I have been thinking. A lot of folks have been talking about how trades need to get done before the Olympic freeze. Why does it have to be that way?

For instance, wouldn't it be better for GMs to spend the extra 2 weeks discussing transactions - and then we see a ton of deals announced the day after the freeze? Similar to how Free Agency works.

Also injury risk - particular for Rasmus going to the Olympics.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I have been thinking. A lot of folks have been talking about how trades need to get done before the Olympic freeze. Why does it have to be that way?

For instance, wouldn't it be better for GMs to spend the extra 2 weeks discussing transactions - and then we see a ton of deals announced the day after the freeze? Similar to how Free Agency works.

At least for Rasmus, him playing in the Olympics is an injury risk. If you can get the deal done before, you do it.

Even the last couple games I get a bit worried every time he blocks a shot and goes off in pain.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I have been thinking. A lot of folks have been talking about how trades need to get done before the Olympic freeze. Why does it have to be that way?

For instance, wouldn't it be better for GMs to spend the extra 2 weeks discussing transactions - and then we see a ton of deals announced the day after the freeze? Similar to how Free Agency works.

Unless you are blown away there is zero reason to do it before other than injury risk and that only really matters with Ras

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I have been thinking. A lot of folks have been talking about how trades need to get done before the Olympic freeze. Why does it have to be that way?

For instance, wouldn't it be better for GMs to spend the extra 2 weeks discussing transactions - and then we see a ton of deals announced the day after the freeze? Similar to how Free Agency works.

Injury risk.

Also, one of the reasons this is such an opportunity to deal off veterans is the unprecedented parity at this point in the season. There are very few sellers, and lots of buyers. The market may well be worse post-Olympics as the playoff picture solidifies, with several more sellers and several fewer buyers.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Conroy has been doing a pretty good job trading paper clips to someone who likes paper clips in exchange for something more valuable. Most people recognize this strategy. Keep up the good work Conny!

No, most people (when not focused on flames management and their entourage) including many flames fans, and basically any other observer of the league (insiders, talking heads, dolts like Eklund) are loudly asking "what the hell are the flames even doing?"

It's time we stop believing that our own farts smell the best.