2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[YyjFlames]

I keep thinking that Kadri won't get much if he's traded as that contract is tough for his age, even with a rising cap.

But then I look at the east standings. Five of the eight playoff teams last year, including the Stanley cup winner and the two division winners are currently outside of the playoffs. All of them within five points of the final wildcard spot and most with games in hand.

Three teams in the West are within three points of the playoffs, and even the Jets, who are seven points out, could go on a run.

If it stays tight, and even with a few more teams announcing sell off, there should still be a strong market out there -- especially for guys with even somewhat bad term as if teams miss the playoffs, they can sell the acquisition as a future one too.

[Harry Lime]

Long term, or short term, I like whitecloud. I think that Pachal might be the odd man out, with Hanley a good mentor. Weegar goes nowhere, absolute stabilizing feature on the team.

Pachal is a solid guy, good contract. Easy third.

I think that after that, you just let the defense learn and grow.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by elkyiv

how much would cgy have to retain on huberdeau for him to be tradeable?

$9.5m

[Harry Lime]

7M for a borderline 1c is an absolute bargain these days. Doesn't matter the age.

[Niemo]

Originally Posted by Elkyiv

How much would CGY have to retain on Huberdeau for him to be tradeable?

I'd just keep Huberdeau for the veteran leadership during the rebuild and his cap hit to keep us above the floor since there is no return for him. It becomes easier and easier to trade him as his contract erodes. Retaining 50% on it with 2 years left (timing coincides to when we need the space) would be easier for Murray to eat and other teams to take on at the cap goes up at the same time. At that point, we're probably taking on a decent / expensive player for a push and the other team is rebuilding and doesn't need that cap space.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Long term, or short term, I like whitecloud. I think that Pachal might be the odd man out, with Hanley a good mentor. Weegar goes nowhere, absolute stabilizing feature on the team.

Pachal is a solid guy, good contract. Easy third.

I think that after that, you just let the defense learn and grow.

I could be wrong because GMs are nuts but I don't see any way a guy who has been scratched for over half the games of one of the worst teams in the league is an easy 3rd.

[Roko]

I would add pieces to kadri for Hage or even Zharovsky

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Niemo

I'd just keep Huberdeau for the veteran leadership during the rebuild and his cap hit to keep us above the floor since there is no return for him. It becomes easier and easier to trade him as his contract erodes. Retaining 50% on it with 2 years left (timing coincides to when we need the space) would be easier for Murray to eat and other teams to take on at the cap goes up at the same time. At that point, we're probably taking on a decent / expensive player for a push and the other team is rebuilding and doesn't need that cap space.

What leadership? There’s definitely none on the ice with the way he floats and doesn’t break a sweat out there.

[WickerChicken]

Originally Posted by Niemo

I'd just keep Huberdeau for the veteran leadership during the rebuild and his cap hit to keep us above the floor since there is no return for him. It becomes easier and easier to trade him as his contract erodes. Retaining 50% on it with 2 years left (timing coincides to when we need the space) would be easier for Murray to eat and other teams to take on at the cap goes up at the same time. At that point, we're probably taking on a decent / expensive player for a push and the other team is rebuilding and doesn't need that cap space.

My issue with keeping Huberdeau is that, regardless of his value in the locker room (which is unclear), his on-ice performance does not set a strong example. It’s difficult to build a team culture centered on the idea that everything is earned when a core player consistently falls short of even basic expectations. Realistically, Huberdeau’s contract is likely unmovable, so this argument is moot.

[Just a guy]

Originally Posted by Stampede2TheCup

Yes, any owner and GM in the league would think carefully and want more of a return with real dollars retained like that.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be 50% to make it work for the other team or worth it to the Flames though.

Also, the Flames went from spending to the salary cap every year to being well below, so that may help the budget for it.

This keeps coming up and also the fact that the Flames are close to the floor and as the cap goes up they need to spend to get there. Whether the Flames (Murray as everyone says) retain or eat a bad contract they will be spending those dollars anyway. These are not dollars to be eaten. They are dollars essentially already spent because they have to.

[traptor]

I would say retain and make a change of scenery trade for another bad contract but...


There's no contracts even close to as bad as Huberdeau.

Nurse would be the closest but that will never happen.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Elkyiv

How much would CGY have to retain on Huberdeau for him to be tradeable?

Put aside the contract. Can you think of a single reason why anyone would want him at this point?

[Harry Lime]

Huberdeau is a record breaking 110 point winger in the Florida system, and an overpaid 40 point winger in the calgary system. I'd bet on the Devils next to Hughes, he's suddenly a point per game guy again.

He's not going anywhere, because no GM would take the risk, unless a way less talented overpaid player is coming back.

Every time a dump and chase happens, you just made Huberdeau a pilon.

[Niemo]

I don't understand why the narrative is "Kadri and Coleman are willing to do the Flames a favour. They are such great guys, loyal to the team, etc., etc. They are willing to stay and they are willing to be traded - albeit to destinations they like."

Isn't that basically what their trade protections are for? Yes, Coleman can choose 22 teams he does not want to go to. Kadri can choose 13 teams he does not want to go to. End of story. I'm not trying to be a d*ck. From everything I hear and read, Kadri and Coleman are GREAT individuals and GREAT leaders for the team, but come on.........they have to stay or they have to be traded to destinations that they did not protect against. Only difference is that they aren't pushing for a trade.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by cam_calderon

If Kadri was traded tomorrow at 50% retention, that's over $10 million on a player skating for another team. I think Murray would want a pretty juicy return if he's outlaying that much cash on retention.

Also, it takes up a retention slot in each year, so there is a transactional cost.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Huberdeau is a record breaking 110 point winger in the Florida system, and an overpaid 40 point winger in the calgary system. I'd bet on the Devils next to Hughes, he's suddenly a point per game guy again.

He's not going anywhere, because no GM would take the risk, unless a way less talented overpaid player is coming back.

Every time a dump and chase happens, you just made Huberdeau a pilon.

I'm sure in another system, with other players, Huberdeau's production jumps. 10.5 is a fair amount for even a PPG guy though, and as you say, it'd be a risk, and Calgary would have to retain or take a lesser but still bad contract back.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Just a guy

This keeps coming up and also the fact that the Flames are close to the floor and as the cap goes up they need to spend to get there. Whether the Flames (Murray as everyone says) retain or eat a bad contract they will be spending those dollars anyway. These are not dollars to be eaten. They are dollars essentially already spent because they have to.

The Flames are currently 15 Million over the cap floor I don't see making the cap floor becoming an issue for the team, not as long as that Loser Huberdeau keeps playing.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Niemo

I don't understand why the narrative is "Kadri and Coleman are willing to do the Flames a favour. They are such great guys, loyal to the team, etc., etc. They are willing to stay and they are willing to be traded - albeit to destinations they like."

Isn't that basically what their trade protections are for? Yes, Coleman can choose 22 teams he does not want to go to. Kadri can choose 13 teams he does not want to go to. End of story. I'm not trying to be a d*ck. From everything I hear and read, Kadri and Coleman are GREAT individuals and GREAT leaders for the team, but come on.........they have to stay or they have to be traded to destinations that they did not protect against. Only difference is that they aren't pushing for a trade.

Yeah for Kadri especially, you just take the best offer from the 20 teams not on his no trade list. I don't get the "doing right by the player".

It should not be up to Kadri where he goes. You have to think of the organization first, just like the players will always look out for themselves first.

[NewFan]

I believe trading Huberdeau within the next two seasons is unnecessary. However, if Conroy is intent on moving him, would a team be interested in a package deal of Huberdeau (retain 50%) and Brzustewicz in exchange for a first-round pick and a short-term contract dump? May be some upcoming teams may accept the trade.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by WickerChicken

My issue with keeping Huberdeau is that, regardless of his value in the locker room (which is unclear), his on-ice performance does not set a strong example. It’s difficult to build a team culture centered on the idea that everything is earned when a core player consistently falls short of even basic expectations. Realistically, Huberdeau’s contract is likely unmovable, so this argument is moot.

I don't think Huberdeau is a low effort player. He's just washed. Also, if the Flames were to move on from him, it would likely cost assets that are better used trying to improve the future of the team.