2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I suspect if they're legitimately looking at Thomas, they figure cleaning house this year will help them finish bottom 3 (lottery willing) and adding his talent as the new 1C will speed up whatever rebiggling was planned. Then they hit the FA market.

I doubt it happens, but it's not a bad idea. Thomas has been around 90 points on a STL team that has very little star power. He is over a PPG basically on his own.

Flames trade Coleman, Kadri and Weegar or Whitecloud they will have so many picks that they could land Thomas and not even give up everything they get for the 3 players they move.

Move out players opens the door for young players to take over and they will have tons of cap. Add in who they get this draft, it's not my #1 path to rebuild but they should consider it if the return isn't too outrageous

[Sec214]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It was my thought too initially. But he's a legit 1C, will likely be so for the remainder of his contract (to 31), which is inside the Flames rebuild window, and he makes 2C money going forward IMO. And the centre prospects in the draft don't look great.

Flames C pipeline is still 2-3 years away from impact.

They absolutely should be looking to solidify the C position.

While the team is what they are this year, we know long-term pain is not in the cards for this org.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It was my thought too initially. But he's a legit 1C, will likely be so for the remainder of his contract (to 31), which is inside the Flames rebuild window, and he makes 2C money going forward IMO. And the centre prospects in the draft don't look great.

Consider his linemates and his PP dmen over the last few years. 86 in 82 and 81 in 70 is pretty legit. He has been hurt this year, and the Blues have fell off a cliff. He is no question their best player

[dammage79]

I'd want Simashev out of anybody from their prospect pool if the Flames swung a trade with Utah.

[Vinny01]

I definitely think the flames will make a splash or two adding higher end mid-20’s guys somewhere between this deadline and the summer of 2027. They will want to sell hope in SP and won’t be able to do that on kids alone in my opinion.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Zellers was traded to the Bruins. Sorry man.

Totally forgot about that.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Their pipeline is loaded and lots currency over the next two drafts.

Tij is not available.

Not with that attitude

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Their pipeline is loaded and lots currency over the next two drafts.

Tij is not available.

The bolded needs to continue to be clear, everyone gets boners when they hear Utah.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Flames C pipeline is still 2-3 years away from impact.

They absolutely should be looking to solidify the C position.

While the team is what they are this year, we know long-term pain is not in the cards for this org.

So what you're saying is rebiggle.

[ResAlien]

I'm all in on trading for Rob Thomas solely for Smooth to make it into the goal song rotation. Good a reason as any

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'd want Simashev out of anybody from their prospect pool if the Flames swung a trade with Utah.

Beaudoin could be a realistic option too, meets a bigger need

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Flames C pipeline is still 2-3 years away from impact.

They absolutely should be looking to solidify the C position.

While the team is what they are this year, we know long-term pain is not in the cards for this org.

I do wonder if it's still 18 months too early though, but players like Thomas aren't always available which is the problem.

Personally I'd rather they commit to being bad this year and next, and start looking for acquisitions like Thomas around the 2027 draft.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It was my thought too initially. But he's a legit 1C, will likely be so for the remainder of his contract (to 31), which is inside the Flames rebuild window, and he makes 2C money going forward IMO. And the centre prospects in the draft don't look great.

If the Flames draft McKenna, I wouldn't mind them acquiring a young centre via trade. The last thing you want to do is pull on Oilers on McKenna and not give him proper players to play with.

Thomas seems a bit old for that role though. Wouldn't mind the Flames going after someone who hasn't produced quite as well as Thomas but is younger.

[Sec214]

Originally Posted by YyjFlames

So what you're saying is rebiggle.

Rebuilding is undefined.

[united]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Oh boy this is gonna cause some consternation, asking doesn't hurt but it feels damned near impossible if not absolutely bat#### crazy to see the 4th last in the league flames outbidding contending teams and paying a huge haul of futures to the 2nd last place team in the league that we are jockeying for draft position and trying to rebuild more effectively then.

On the positive side in 3 or 4 years we are probably back in this thread talking about if we can get another 28th overall pick, B prospect and a retread for Thomas if we use a retention spot and talking about how things might have been different if we got Stenberg instead of St. Lou haha. To be clear if he can be had for decent value I like the player, just doesn't seem like a good fit timing wise.

I hem and haw at Thomas, too, for the reasons you noted. But also, on the other hand, the Flames haven't had a true two-way high-end #1 C for like 25 years so at some point you have to maybe pay a little more than you'd like and/or acquire one who is a little older than you'd like.

Via UFA you have basically have Nick Schmaltz this year and Hischier next.

No probable high-end #1 C in this year's draft (a couple have potential of course, but no bona fide blue chip).
Joseph next season, but no assurance you get him and if you do, likely not rounding into elite form until 2030.

Tough one.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by YyjFlames

So what you're saying is rebiggle.

Re-tiggle-ala-biggle

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Beaudoin could be a realistic option too, meets a bigger need

My mentality towards the Flames Rebiggle has been Draft the impact fws with your high picks, acquire the defense late in the draft or trade for them. Simashev is a solid LD prospect. With NHL GP already. Seems to be the Flames MO anyways.

[musth]

Excitement, she wrote!

[united]

Thomas cards from a month ago to refresh.

Originally Posted by united

If the Flames do move on from Kadri, I wonder if they use some of their accrued draft capital to try and acquire Robert Thomas, the rare mid-20s #1 C available for trade (allegedly - #15 on Chris Johnston's trade board). Not their own picks obviously, but those of the Golden Knights as a start. Thomas does have full no-trade protection, but is tight with the Tkachuks where Matthew thought highly of Calgary. Would certainly help with the goal of being competitive come the opening of the new building and a contender thereafter. No idea if Thomas would consider here, though.

26-year-old, right-shot, two-way centre signed to an AAV of $8,125,000 until the end of the 2030-31 season. Has won his 5v5 minutes 144-105 over the last three seasons.

Current card

Spoiler!

Last season micro card

Spoiler!

[Mephisto]

What would it take to get Thomas? 2 firsts and blue chip prospect? Something like Quinn Hughes trade?