2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

I doubt the flames retain on either player. Far more likely they take back a bad contract such as Gallagher.
Coleman fully retained for two seasons is probably 2 1sts. Can't see a team paying that. Kadri contract is too long.

Taking a contract back is a good point...I could see that for sure and it would be a smart way around retention.

"Flames traded a vet for a vet" posts incoming if that happens though

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by dino7c

That's the thing I'm not sure he is tradable without retaining. If they retain on him now they can't retain on Coleman.

Is it worth retaining on Kadri for a low return?

No, if you're retaining you need a huge return and I think that's part of the problem. Teams want retention likely for just an "okay" return. Taking a questionable contract back is the better option.

I do feel like a combination of unfortunate circumstances and short term playoff aspirations might have led them to missing the boat on the best return for Kadri.

Last year you had a very motivated Colorado team that was looking to save face after the Rantanten trade. They had moved Rantanen, moved Mittelstadt, and really looked to be shaking things up.

The rumour (from Royle9) was they offered the same package the Islanders got for Nelson to the Flames, which was a 1st, 3rd, and Ritchie as the main pieces.

Now whether that was rejected because Kadri wasn't open to waiving his NTC, whether the Flames just had no interest in moving him at that point, or a combination of both those things, it feels like that is a lost opportunity.

It's also interesting how that ended up working for each team that were targeted by the Avs at that time.

On March 1st 2025 the Islanders (.517) and Flames (.542) were only separated by 3 points. Flames went on a run after that and finished at .585 on the season (.667 after March 1), good enough for 15th in the NHL but 9th in the West).

Islanders dropped off after moving Nelson bit finishing at .500 on the season (.479 after moving Nelson), and they win the lottery and get Schaefer.

Now the Flames never will win the lottery, so I doubt that would have happened for them, but interesting how it played out for each team after the deadline that year.

[Bonded]

I don’t think there is much what ifs to have with Kadri last season. Basically every report was that he didn’t want to move and he had a full NMC. Andersson is at least worth discussing imo. That Carlo trade looks a lot better in hindsight

[Roof-Daddy]

Suddenly four new pages, 60 posts per page, so I think "sweet, there must have been some new juicy rumors dropped in here".

Nope, just another never ending argument with the idiots that somehow still think the Flames are trying to compete and/or not rebuilding.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by dino7c

That's the thing I'm not sure he is tradable without retaining. If they retain on him now they can't retain on Coleman.

Is it worth retaining on Kadri for a low return?

I could go either way honestly. It might be worth rushing a little just to cut down on the drama. One fewer rumor swirling around the team.

[IliketoPuck]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think they expected to be bad last year for sure.

This year I have heard from pretty good sources that ownership and management expected them to compete for a playoff spot.

That was the internal and external messaging all offseason.

And they were genuinely surprised and frustrated by the poor start.

Not sure why we have to act like they weren't hoping to make the playoffs when that's what they said all offseason and to start the year.

They weren't willing to make short term signings or trades to help make the playoffs. But they thought they could repeat last seasons performance and that it'd be enough to make it this season.

I was at a dinner with CSEC executives back in the June/July time frame. I can confirm unequivocally that the messaging at that time was 100% about being competitive and building on the 97 point season.

Results spoke for themselves after the first few months, so kudos on them for pivoting correctly.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

I was at a dinner with CSEC executives back in the June/July time frame. I can confirm unequivocally that the messaging at that time was 100% about being competitive and building on the 97 point season.

Results spoke for themselves after the first few months, so kudos on them for pivoting correctly.

Jeez, delusional. Glad they could pivot.

[IliketoPuck]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Jeez, delusional. Glad they could pivot.

It's more a mindset thing than anything else. Leadership wants to set a high standard, and hold people to it. Same approach for the Stamps, to be fair.

Coming out and saying we expect to be bad, and are willing to tolerate mediocrity, sends the wrong message and instills the wrong culture.

At some point the Flames will accumulate enough skilled players that their work ethic paired with their talent and culture will result in good things on the ice.

Until then, we can control the culture of the club by instilling the right values from the top. Culture is a critical thing, and it can be lost easily if the wrong standards are allowed to persist - and then you end up with the entitled mess we see three hours north.

It'll come. They are clearly rebuilding, it's not even debateable. The cap space alone confirms it. We need to add some more top tier talent up front that can contribute heavily on ELCs, and then fill in the rest using our cap space. But securing the elite #1 d-man and number 1 goalie appear to be locked in. An elite center and we are away to the races.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

It's more a mindset thing than anything else. Leadership wants to set a high standard, and hold people to it. Same approach for the Stamps, to be fair.

Coming out and saying we expect to be bad, and are willing to tolerate mediocrity, sends the wrong message and instills the wrong culture.

At some point the Flames will accumulate enough skilled players that their work ethic paired with their talent and culture will result in good things on the ice.

Until then, we can control the culture of the club by instilling the right values from the top. Culture is a critical thing, and it can be lost easily if the wrong standards are allowed to persist - and then you end up with the entitled mess we see three hours north.

It'll come. They are clearly rebuilding, it's not even debateable. The cap space alone confirms it. We need to add some more top tier talent up front that can contribute heavily on ELCs, and then fill in the rest using our cap space. But securing the elite #1 d-man and number 1 goalie appear to be locked in. An elite center and we are away to the races.

Now that i've thought about it, its not like the Flames went out and picked up a handful of UFAs or anything.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Over 90% of CP thinks its a rebuild...so maybe, just maybe we have a very vocal minority

Need a poll to confirm.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Royle9

The question is, would people rather move Kadri NOW for a lesser return than say next year or the year after barring he keeps the same level of play?

He plays a position we're very weak in but could very well regress further the longer he plays.

Coleman I'm less worried about, I think there's enough interest and likely offers too good to pass up on the horizon here, so they'll have every chance to move him if they want. I see no reason to hold on to him now given their recent play.

Yes.

Move Kadri now, get what you can. Turn this roster, and their (not Backlund) leadership, over.

He's going to be 36. He's on the damn cliff, I'd sooner not be tied to him as he plunges off into the abyss.

Originally Posted by dino7c

Over 90% of CP thinks its a rebuild...so maybe, just maybe we have a very vocal minority

It's a damn rebuild, although I do prefer the term Rebiggle. Gives us some ownership of the process. I don't really think they wanted it, but it's upon them regardless. I do believe they really did think this 'core' (ugh) could get them into the playoffs when peppered with some youth, which is a mis-assessment to a significant degree.

...has it been done fast enough to my liking? No, but hockey GMs are so damn risk averse that they move like a sloth 9 out of 10 times, and I would have preferred to be one of the teams that whole hogged it. This team would be in a better spot right now had they done that, and instead we're getting onto our 4th year out of the playoffs with very little in the high-end category of prospects. I look at things like Reschny, who looks like a killer pick for where we got him, and Wyttenbach who looks like he may be an absolutely fantastic find later in the draft...and all we're missing is the draft opportunity (two or three of them) to round out the foundation. We'll snag one (hopefully) this year, and then hopefully in '27 as well. If they can keep crushing these drafts...all signs point to happier days.

[SuperMatt18]

The longest I'd wait with Kadri is maybe the draft...if the feeling is more teams that he's willing to waive for would be interested.

If that's not the case though and there are enough teams interested now that he's willing to go to, then I don't see offers getting better and think you just pull the trigger now.

[Caged Great]

As much as it sucks, this team needs to move those guys sooner than later.

I personally don't enjoy seeing Kadri and Coleman wasting their and our time here. I'd rather cheer for them to have success in the playoffs with whichever team they go to. I like them as players, but it is getting in the way of giving opportunities to guys like Gridin, Suniev and Stromgren who are all ready for the NHL.

It sucks having to wait to see if those guys will actually be NHL players while having players that aren't going to contribute to the long term health of the organization taking up space, especially when they can contribute to other teams win.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

I said it is murky if it is a rebuild or not. Clearly, the vast majority see it as a rebuild based on the poll and I was wrong.

I personally don't see Kadri's value ever being higher than this year with him aging. So I would like to see him moved this year.

Do you think Andersson was worth more last year, at one year younger (but with far worse stats)? Or Coleman?

I'd wager that Kadri is much better next year assuming he's on a different team, and probably even if he's not. Kadri had a much better year last year than the year before.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Do you think Andersson was worth more last year, at one year younger (but with far worse stats)? Or Coleman?

I'd wager that Kadri is much better next year assuming he's on a different team, and probably even if he's not. Kadri had a much better year last year than the year before.

What makes you think Kadri is going to be better next year on the Flames?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

I was at a dinner with CSEC executives back in the June/July time frame. I can confirm unequivocally that the messaging at that time was 100% about being competitive and building on the 97 point season.

Results spoke for themselves after the first few months, so kudos on them for pivoting correctly.

Teams always say this...they added nothing and replaced Vladar with Cooley who at the time looked lime a disaster

[sureLoss]

Insider Trading:
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/2026/01...ion-on-change/

Jets focused on winning
Despite speculation, there has been no talks between Seattle and Jets about Shane Wright yet
If the Jets switch to sell mode, focus will be on UFA Logan Stanley who the Jets have not had any contract talks with

Montreal not going to mortgage the future for a short term fix before the deadline
Still open to hockey trades for a top 6 upgrade

Detroit not looking for rentals
Looking for a 2C and Right shot d-man with term
Dreger: take a look at their draft list, could be some juicy picks in play

Islanders want to add a piece up front before the Olympics if possible

Pens and Mammoth can't be labeled as true buyers
Penguins still looking for young players but not pivoting yet
Biggest player Mammoth are looking to add right now is Logan Cooley back from injury

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Insider Trading:
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/2026/01...ion-on-change/

Jets focused on winning
Despite speculation, there has been no talks between Seattle and Jets about Shane Wright yet
If the Jets switch to sell mode, focus will be on UFA Logan Stanley who the Jets have not had any contract talks with

Montreal not going to mortgage the future for a short term fix before the deadline
Still open to hockey trades for a top 6 upgrade

Detroit not looking for rentals
Looking for a 2C and Right shot d-man with term
Dreger: take a look at their draft list, could be some juicy picks in play

Islanders want to add a piece up front before the Olympics if possible

Pens and Mammoth can't be labeled as true buyers
Penguins still looking for young players but not pivoting yet
Biggest player Mammoth are looking to add right now is Logan Cooley back from injury

Pfffft. This isn't what this thread is for dummy. Take it to the rebuild thread.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Insider Trading:
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/2026/01...ion-on-change/

Jets focused on winning
Despite speculation, there has been no talks between Seattle and Jets about Shane Wright yet
If the Jets switch to sell mode, focus will be on UFA Logan Stanley who the Jets have not had any contract talks with

Montreal not going to mortgage the future for a short term fix before the deadline
Still open to hockey trades for a top 6 upgrade

Detroit not looking for rentals
Looking for a 2C and Right shot d-man with term
Dreger: take a look at their draft list, could be some juicy picks in play

Islanders want to add a piece up front before the Olympics if possible

Pens and Mammoth can't be labeled as true buyers
Penguins still looking for young players but not pivoting yet
Biggest player Mammoth are looking to add right now is Logan Cooley back from injury

The flames could be a one-stop shop for Detroit if they want a center + RS defenceman with term. Conroy could pick up talks with Yzerman where he left them with on Andersson.

To Detroit:
Kadri (20% retained)
Weegar or Whitecloud

To Calgary:
Danielson
1st round pick

I know Friedman said Danielson was not in the Andersson discussion but this is a bigger deal. This is a 2nd line center and top four defenseman in one deal. I think most would consider this a sell low return for the flames.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Shazam

What makes you think Kadri is going to be better next year on the Flames?

Another year - he seems to run hot and cold. 2 years ago not good, last year good, this year not good. Parekh, Gridin, maybe Reschny will be on on the team. Kadri likes playing with the kids. He started off pretty well this year as well.