2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Would the Sharks be bidding on Whitecloud? Seems like he could really help that D Core!

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

They want a Whitecloud?

Honestly not sure. I can ask privately next time we have a luncheon (later this week).

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

https://twitter.com/user/status/2014050031347675541

Just another recap tweet, cool beans nonetheless!

We're in a tough spot retaining on Kadri, unless we wait until July 1st when Markstrom and Andersson's retention slots open up. Or, unless we are not retaining on Coleman at all.

[saillias]

Convinced Huberdeau ends in a buy out and it's just a matter of how long it takes the Flame to realize it.

[Toast_Man]

Originally Posted by saillias

Convinced Huberdeau ends in a buy out and it's just a matter of how long it takes the Flame to realize it.

I'm warming up to the idea of a buyout. It's the best of both worlds... His salary will help the team hit the cap floor and we won't have to watch him play for the Flames.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by saillias

Convinced Huberdeau ends in a buy out and it's just a matter of how long it takes the Flame to realize it.

His contract is buyout-proof. There's no point on doing it in my opinion. The only good time to do it is 1-2 years before it expires if we are desperate for some savings. He has some huge SBs attached.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by saillias

Convinced Huberdeau ends in a buy out and it's just a matter of how long it takes the Flame to realize it.

You don’t do a buyout earlier than it being a problem. His cap isn’t currently a problem. The longer they wait, the less years of penalty paid.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by saillias

Convinced Huberdeau ends in a buy out and it's just a matter of how long it takes the Flame to realize it.

Due to the structure of the contract with front loaded bonuses, there are almost no cap or cash savings from buying him out.

[Just a guy]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

We're in a tough spot retaining on Kadri, unless we wait until July 1st when Markstrom and Andersson's retention slots open up. Or, unless we are not retaining on Coleman at all.

You could still use a third team to retain. It can only be retained once though

[Rhett44]

Huberdeau is perfect for the tank. Keep playing him.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Honestly not sure. I can ask privately next time we have a luncheon (later this week).

And if n ot a Whitecloud, how about a Weegar?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Due to the structure of the contract with front loaded bonuses, there are almost no cap or cash savings from buying him out.

Perfect. Keeps them above the cap floor, gets him off the roster, and no longer-term financial effects.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Perfect. Keeps them above the cap floor, gets him off the roster, and no longer-term financial effects.

I don't understand why people want him off the roster. As long as he's not a problem in the locker room there's no reason to buy him out. It's like I said in another thread, the mission isn't to win this season or next. He's having the worst season of his career but it's probably helping the Flames at this point as they need to start losing more games down the stretch.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

We're in a tough spot retaining on Kadri, unless we wait until July 1st when Markstrom and Andersson's retention slots open up. Or, unless we are not retaining on Coleman at all.

Between Blake and Naz, I think you'd get the most value back from retaining on Naz.

IMO both contracts are relatively fair for each player, but with Kadri's age and potential for his to drop off (which may already be beginning, hard to tell based on his recent effort), I think a contender getting him for $3.5 million instead of $7 million is a huge incentive that teams would pay out the nose for.

Coleman's contract is more manageable and without a doubt the value is in line with what a player like him brings. And with less term, I don't think you have to retain on him to get good value back.

But, who knows, we may end up keeping him this year anyhow to provide some veteran leadership and he may go in the offseason or around next year's deadline.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Buying him out would make things worse, not better.


Just accept having 10.5 million tied up on the least valuable position on any team - the LHS LW - and quit thinking of him as a former 115 point player. It is what it is.


Hopefully as the team increases the overall skill-level over the next several seasons, Huberdeau will be able to feed off of it and see his own point totals climb as well - or at least, stay consistent to what we have seen from him so far (55-65). Then I think in the last 2 seasons, Calgary may be able to unload him then, when it will actually matter.


The only issue I have with Huberdeau right now is if the money is tight down the road where one of the prospects has to get bridged, or if the Flames have to pass up on a great deal from another team being in a position of having to drop cap by trading out a good player at pennies on the dollar.


Parekh will need his 2nd deal before Huberdeau's contract expires.
Whomever we draft in the first round will likely step into the NHL right away and need his 2nd contract.
Gridin will need his second contract - what if he lights it up next season?
Reschny or Wyttenbach can find themselves graduated and needing their 2nd deals too.


I hope there is never another situation where Calgary has to bridge a young core piece like what happened with Tkachuk. Chances are that Calgary will be able to absorb Huberdeau's deal (but without the relative luxury of Conroy being able to make a single mistake) for the rest of the contract term. It just may get tricky.


If there was ever an opportunity to dump it, or reduce the years by exchanging it for another even worse performing one (can't think of any), I would do it.


Nurse's deal isn't as bad since it is 1 year less (which is 50% less risk of it interfering with an extension) and is not buyout proof.


Pettersson might overtake it however. He costs more, but he is a center, and those are always more valuable positions of course. He is essentially performing at the rate of a 2nd line center. If he stays in that range, then Huberdeau remains as the worst contract.


Things can be worse. I don't buy that he is not making an effort. He doesn't seem to be making himself a distraction, or pouting, or just 'retiring on the job'... we should be thankful for that. He has pride in his game and in himself, and I know this can't be easy for him. I have definitely hated the sudden reappearance of turning pucks over constantly in the offensive zone, but that's all. I think he is giving it an effort, and trying to remain a positive figure on the team. He even stuck up for a teammate this season, which is something I never expected to see out of him.


The worst case scenario is that he could simply be going through the motions like Neal did here. So maybe we should count our blessings.

[TheScorpion]

Flames will eventually need to give other players his minutes. He's taking up space in high-leverage, high-production situations and at a certain point, it'll be time to turn the page. I think a buyout is ultimately the only way forward -- maybe in a year or two.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't understand why people want him off the roster. As long as he's not a problem in the locker room there's no reason to buy him out. It's like I said in another thread, the mission isn't to win this season or next. He's having the worst season of his career but it's probably helping the Flames at this point as they need to start losing more games down the stretch.

Its a Bouwmeester situation IMO. Just a bad system for the player.

Jay was poor under Brent Sutter but his game was terrific under Hartley.

Huberdeau has been poor under Sutter & Huska but if the next coach is more offensive minded, he'll come out of the funk.

[dino7c]

I think if the Flames get some actual young skill in the lineup it will help Huberdeau big time. Its not an excuse for his current play just the reality of the situation.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Flames will eventually need to give other players his minutes. He's taking up space in high-leverage, high-production situations and at a certain point, it'll be time to turn the page. I think a buyout is ultimately the only way forward -- maybe in a year or two.

That time isn't now though. Wait until we come to that bridge, when the players are ready and taking his time, then do the buy out. A buy out right now would saddle the team with a payout until 2035-36. Wait until we're closer to get the most benefit. Probably 2030 is the year, when we have the most youth filtering in and need the most cap space. Until then Huberdeau's contract helps us get to the floor and doesn't really hurt us.

[rhino]

Originally Posted by saillias

Convinced Huberdeau ends in a buy out and it's just a matter of how long it takes the Flame to realize it.

Outside of freeing up a roster spot a buyout doesn’t help much and you are still paying him for another 10 years

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Buying him out would make things worse, not better.


Just accept having 10.5 million tied up on the least valuable position on any team - the LHS LW - and quit thinking of him as a former 115 point player. It is what it is.


Hopefully as the team increases the overall skill-level over the next several seasons, Huberdeau will be able to feed off of it and see his own point totals climb as well - or at least, stay consistent to what we have seen from him so far (55-65). Then I think in the last 2 seasons, Calgary may be able to unload him then, when it will actually matter.


The only issue I have with Huberdeau right now is if the money is tight down the road where one of the prospects has to get bridged, or if the Flames have to pass up on a great deal from another team being in a position of having to drop cap by trading out a good player at pennies on the dollar.


Parekh will need his 2nd deal before Huberdeau's contract expires.
Whomever we draft in the first round will likely step into the NHL right away and need his 2nd contract.
Gridin will need his second contract - what if he lights it up next season?
Reschny or Wyttenbach can find themselves graduated and needing their 2nd deals too.


I hope there is never another situation where Calgary has to bridge a young core piece like what happened with Tkachuk. Chances are that Calgary will be able to absorb Huberdeau's deal (but without the relative luxury of Conroy being able to make a single mistake) for the rest of the contract term. It just may get tricky.


If there was ever an opportunity to dump it, or reduce the years by exchanging it for another even worse performing one (can't think of any), I would do it.


Nurse's deal isn't as bad since it is 1 year less (which is 50% less risk of it interfering with an extension) and is not buyout proof.


Pettersson might overtake it however. He costs more, but he is a center, and those are always more valuable positions of course. He is essentially performing at the rate of a 2nd line center. If he stays in that range, then Huberdeau remains as the worst contract.


Things can be worse. I don't buy that he is not making an effort. He doesn't seem to be making himself a distraction, or pouting, or just 'retiring on the job'... we should be thankful for that. He has pride in his game and in himself, and I know this can't be easy for him. I have definitely hated the sudden reappearance of turning pucks over constantly in the offensive zone, but that's all. I think he is giving it an effort, and trying to remain a positive figure on the team. He even stuck up for a teammate this season, which is something I never expected to see out of him.


The worst case scenario is that he could simply be going through the motions like Neal did here. So maybe we should count our blessings.

I was hoping the Flames could swing a Huberdeau for Couturier trade a year ago, I doubt PHI does it now. Elias Petterson could be an option because he's signed for a year longer and he is paid $1.1M more, but he's younger, plays center, and has more chance to rebound.