2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[metroneck]

I dream of hitting the trade jackpot by landing some unknown prospect, who turns into a Datsyuk, but in reality, I’d be really happy with a solid mid 6 winger with speed, size and a gritty game.

Doesn’t have to be as tough or offensive as Wilson, just a guy who is hard on opposing D, retrieve pucks and chip in a few every once and a while.

I think that is our biggest need after 1C.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Bingo

First off ... agreed.

But second ... this has always been interesting to me. A guy that makes the NHL later is still playing hockey. I'd assume the wear on a player is higher at the NHL level but if he played 2 more AHL seasons than Kadri as an example it can't be as simple as total games played, right?

Yes good point. It certainly is more nuanced than I offered.
Interestingly, again comparing these two players just as a thought exercise, Kadri played more AHL games (119) than Coleman (66).

And I do think a player coming out of the college system potentially has an advantage over junior players, because there is more time for off-ice fitness and less games played overall. But I may have some bias there, as I generally think the college is a better development path for all sorts of reasons.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

If Coleman and Kadri both get traded, Flames can only retain on one of them which will impact the return. I'm guessing they are reluctant to retain on Kadri and so I think expectations on that return should be tempered.

Might be naive on my end but I only see Kadri's value going up. I find all the talk about his contract being some kind of boat anchor ridiculous. He will have 1.75 or so left on his cap hit this year at the deadline. there are probably only 8 or 9 teams in the league that can't fit that in easily with a salary coming back to the flames. And then you have all summer to create more space with the cap going up massively and his deal can easily be bought out in the final year for a pretty minimal cap hit relative to the total cap.

He's tracking towards another 60 point season with not much support and he's a good value contract for a 2nd line center. I know that it means some teams can't fit him in easily

Next year the same talking heads will be saying his two years of term means he's not a short term acquisition if he produces, which he surely will with no other real offensive stars on the flames to take the powerplay time.

I would treat him just like Weegar, set a price and don't move off it. Yeah sure if you can move Coleman for a 1st without retention of course do it and look at retention for Naz but I would focus on Coleman with his deal closer to running down and his production level being lower.

Wouldn't compromise on the Coleman return to rush Kadri out the door right now. He will for sure bring back a 1st next year with 2 years of term left and retention spots available I would think so why take, for example, a 1st and a 2nd now for those two when you can likely get two 1sts by waiting a few months.

[Jason14h]

Kadris points have fallen from 75 to 67 to 57 pace over the last 3 years

I don’t see him getting more valuable .

But there is a real risk he drops to 40 points and has no value

Father Time is undefeated

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Kadris points have fallen from 75 to 67 to 57 pace over the last 3 years

I don’t see him getting more valuable .

But there is a real risk he drops to 40 points and has no value

Father Time is undefeated

This. Kadri is at the age where players often see a significant drop off in their production. Risking going into next season assuming he will continue to produce and stay healthy is just not worth it if you can get good value now. The caveat being what the definition of “good value” is at this point. To me, it’s a 1st round pick + 3rd round pick + B-level prospect.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Kadris points have fallen from 75 to 67 to 57 pace over the last 3 years

I don’t see him getting more valuable .

But there is a real risk he drops to 40 points and has no value

Father Time is undefeated

Risk of his play declining is valid and you could totally be right, but I personally think the point drop off is more because the quality of players around him are rapidly declining. Center is more about positioning than explosive speed compared to a winger, you see many quality guys like Kopitar offer value pretty much right up to 40. I think worst case scenario he will be a 3rd line center at 37. But totally agree it's not without risk keeping him if there's a market this year.

I just think next year if he's still here he will see a ton of ice. Can't see him scoring less than 50-60 points, there is nobody else to take the minutes from him, league is massive now. Someone will need a middle six C again and the deal will be less of a factor.

[Strange Brew]

If the Flames hadn't retained on Rasmus, any speculation on what the return would have been? Or would Vegas have simply not done the deal at that time and waited until closer to the deadline while exploring other options.

There was a definite cost to the Flames by using a retention slot for Andersson while he was already on a great value contract.

[Cain]

Agree we should trade Coleman if there is a good offer, but also want to join the group saying I'll miss him when he's gone. He's been one of my favorite flames for his duration. Always gives 100% effort, and just an all round reliable guy. What a great signing he has been. Classy guy too.

[YyjFlames]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

If the Flames hadn't retained on Rasmus, any speculation on what the return would have been? Or would Vegas have simply not done the deal at that time and waited until closer to the deadline while exploring other options.

There was a definite cost to the Flames by using a retention slot for Andersson while he was already on a great value contract.

They wouldn’t have been able to fit him under their cap without some retention, so a deal wouldn’t have gotten done without it.

It’s likely the same challenge do some teams trying to acquire kadri or Coleman and something the flames are juggling (who to retain on as I’m sure all teams want retention).

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Cain

Agree we should trade Coleman if there is a good offer, but also want to join the group saying I'll miss him when he's gone. He's been one of my favorite flames for his duration. Always gives 100% effort, and just an all round reliable guy. What a great signing he has been. Classy guy too.

Markstrom, Tanev and Coleman.

All with what looks to be decent to amazing returns. Solid asset management.

Glencross was another example.

[InternationalVillager]

I wouldn’t say that games played is a criteria in terms of “mileage”. It makes sense in theory but we’re not selling cars here.

Most teams still use Draft + X as the measurement.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by metroneck

I dream of hitting the trade jackpot by landing some unknown prospect, who turns into a Datsyuk, but in reality, I’d be really happy with a solid mid 6 winger with speed, size and a gritty game.

Doesn’t have to be as tough or offensive as Wilson, just a guy who is hard on opposing D, retrieve pucks and chip in a few every once and a while.

I think that is our biggest need after 1C.

So, what you are saying is that (for Kadri) Kris Epperson, Alex Turcotte and a 2nd from LA, or Gabe Smith and a 1st from Utah would be a home run.

I like the cut of your gib.

[Calgary Highlander]

The Pens took a goalie they put on waivers, and got all this for him...

- Skinner (equivalent goalie to Jarry)
- Girard (a solid #5 guy who they can flip next year)
- 2028 2nd rounder
- 2029 2nd rounder

None of those assets are bluechip, but that's still getting a whole lot while giving up absolutley nothing.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

So, what you are saying is that (for Kadri) Kris Epperson, Alex Turcotte and a 2nd from LA, or Gabe Smith and a 1st from Utah would be a home run.

I like the cut of your gib.

Not sure if you’re being sarcastic, but I actually like Epperson and Smith. Lol

[YyjFlames]

Colorado now has $8.7m of cap space room according to puckpedia.

What to do with it... what to do...

[Lewis_D]

If they do move both Coleman and Kadri which is sounding increasingly likely, I'm predicting the return will seem underwhelming for many. Regardless, I think the biggest win for both trades will be if it results in the team sliding to finish the season & getting a top 3 pick.

[Sandman]

Some are saying that Brad Marchand has been playing through an injury and might get shut down for the season. There are doubts about Matthew Tkachuk as well. Wonder if the Panthers try to fill some holes…

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Lewis_D

If they do move both Coleman and Kadri which is sounding increasingly likely, I'm predicting the return will seem underwhelming for many. Regardless, I think the biggest win for both trades will be if it results in the team sliding to finish the season & getting a top 3 pick.

I’m good, as long as we get that first-rounder!

[stemit14]

So if Colorado has the cap space now, is there a strong desire to bring Kadri back? If so, what can they offer?

I think a 2027 1st round pick + 2027 2nd round pick would be a good return.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by stemit14

So if Colorado has the cap space now, is there a strong desire to bring Kadri back? If so, what can they offer?

I think a 2027 1st round pick + 2027 2nd round pick would be a good return.

1st + William Zellers