2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Jiri Hrdina]

When Rasta starts to step into the thread you know things are getting serious.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Hearing its not quite that Andersson won't sign an extension with a team, but more that in order to do that, he's asking a higher annual value than he's likely to get if he hits the market in order to spend the next 8 years with a team sight unseen. He values the idea of going to market, considering a multitude of options in terms of contention windows/location and lifestyle for family, even a bidding war with cap increases. In order to forego that in advance of actually stepping foot into an organization, he wants a premium, and doesn't sound like 7 vs 8 years means as much as the other things.

Completely fair from his perspective IMO.

Great info. I think it would be pretty fair than for a team to punch up the AAV but to offer only 7 years. I wonder if he would take 10x7. I think that contract is more than fair and don't think a contending team would end up regretting it with the rising cap.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Hearing its not quite that Andersson won't sign an extension with a team, but more that in order to do that, he's asking a higher annual value than he's likely to get if he hits the market in order to spend the next 8 years with a team sight unseen. He values the idea of going to market, considering a multitude of options in terms of contention windows/location and lifestyle for family, even a bidding war with cap increases. In order to forego that in advance of actually stepping foot into an organization, he wants a premium, and doesn't sound like 7 vs 8 years means as much as the other things.

Completely fair from his perspective IMO.

Not great news for the flames, but let's hope there is a team out there stupid enough willing to pay it otherwise we are looking at a rental return and a late first and some junk

[Jiggy_12]

Trying to put myself in the players shoes, and being this close to free agency...I'd much rather just wait a few more months. You have no idea how you are going to fit in to the new team, what the culture is like, what your teammates are like. Why agree to do that for another 8 years before even dipping your toes in? Unless that team was your obvious 1st choice anyways

[Psytic]

Can the Flames sign and trade then retain something and just ask for an extra pick in the deal.

[Tkachukwagon]

Detroit called up Gustafsson and Chiarot no longer at practice this morning. 👀

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Trying to put myself in the players shoes, and being this close to free agency...I'd much rather just wait a few more months. You have no idea how you are going to fit in to the new team, what the culture is like, what your teammates are like. Why agree to do that for another 8 years before even dipping your toes in? Unless that team was your obvious 1st choice anyways

The extra year salary is the main reason. But that said, a guy could decide that and then lose out if the contract is bought out at the end anyway.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Tkachukwagon

Detroit called up Gustafsson and Chiarot no longer at practice this morning. 👀

So Chiarot is hurt and Gus is in?

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Can the Flames sign and trade then retain something and just ask for an extra pick in the deal.

I don't think salary can be retained on anything other than the currently active contract, although I could be mistaken on this. Even if it could, with a limited number of retention slots, how likely do you think a rebuilding/rebiggling team is to retain salary for 8+ years?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Robbob

They did scratch Iggy just before the game when he was traded to Pittsburgh.

Hadn't they finalized deals with both Pittsburgh and Boston and Iggy was just making up his mind at that point?

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The extra year salary is the main reason. But that said, a guy could decide that and then lose out if the contract is bought out at the end anyway.

For sure, and that's quite literally the only selling feature.

I could easily see someone wanting to prioritize being able to choose the absolute best quality of life for their family, versus the extra year and the extra few mil. He'll have generational wealth regardless.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Hadn't they finalized deals with both Pittsburgh and Boston and Iggy was just making up his mind at that point?

The deal was consummated during Calgary’s 4-3 win over Colorado on Wednesday night. To protect their asset, the Flames scratched Iginla from the lineup prior to the game while Feaster negotiated. The GM said three teams made offers.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...-to-team-name/

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Hadn't they finalized deals with both Pittsburgh and Boston and Iggy was just making up his mind at that point?

Robbob beat me to it.

[dino7c]

Iginla was traded in late March near the deadline...he wasn't held out in January

[Strange Brew]

Didn't Boston hold out their minor leaguer that night in anticipation of the trade?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

For sure, and that's quite literally the only selling feature.

I could easily see someone wanting to prioritize being able to choose the absolute best quality of life for their family, versus the extra year and the extra few mil. He'll have generational wealth regardless.

Especially at age 29. He may not even want to play at age 37. Swedes like that early retirement. Especially from the NHL - look at Loob.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Hearing its not quite that Andersson won't sign an extension with a team, but more that in order to do that, he's asking a higher annual value than he's likely to get if he hits the market in order to spend the next 8 years with a team sight unseen. He values the idea of going to market, considering a multitude of options in terms of contention windows/location and lifestyle for family, even a bidding war with cap increases. In order to forego that in advance of actually stepping foot into an organization, he wants a premium, and doesn't sound like 7 vs 8 years means as much as the other things.

Completely fair from his perspective IMO.

Great update, thank you.

It is totally fair for Rasmus to proceed like this, and we've known all along he has wanted to explore UFA. But this definitely makes a deal harder, as not only will the team have to meet Conroy's price, they will have to overpay in salary.

But with multiple teams in play and offering extensions, they should be motivated to get it done as there is a decent risk that Rasmus never makes it to UFA.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Hearing its not quite that Andersson won't sign an extension with a team, but more that in order to do that, he's asking a higher annual value than he's likely to get if he hits the market in order to spend the next 8 years with a team sight unseen. He values the idea of going to market, considering a multitude of options in terms of contention windows/location and lifestyle for family, even a bidding war with cap increases. In order to forego that in advance of actually stepping foot into an organization, he wants a premium, and doesn't sound like 7 vs 8 years means as much as the other things.

Completely fair from his perspective IMO.

Sounds more than fair, but guys like Klingberg and Glencross should be a cautionary tale. If Rasmus has a bad finish to the year, bad playoffs, or an injury, then his value would plummet.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Hadn't they finalized deals with both Pittsburgh and Boston and Iggy was just making up his mind at that point?

Yeah, I remember waiting all night knowing he was gone it was just a matter of whether it was Boston or Pittsburgh.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Iginla was traded in late March near the deadline...he wasn't held out in January

Still not that dissimilar.

If the discussions are this far down the path, that even Steinberg is saying the trade could be done by Friday...then I think it's due dilligence to hold him out.

Sounds like Flames want this done before the weekend, what benefit is there of risking an injury?