2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Harry Lime]

Thomas seems like the type that would demand a classic roster, prospect, 1st.

Frost, Suniev and Battaglia along with the Vegas 1st.

Enough, or too low?

[Ashasx]

It feels like the kind of asset a team like the Flames would have to give up for Thomas is Parekh, and I don't see how a team in this rebuilding state could give up that kind of value or anything close to it.

Cost controlled, 26, centre, right shot who produced at a 90+ clip last season.

[Royle9]

I wouldn't sweat the Thomas stuff anyway, if Utah is moving chips in then he's far more likely to head there.
I think Craig wants more bullets for his scouts rather than subtracting those anyway...

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Thomas will be 27 this summer. I'll be pretty disappointed if CC gives up futures for him.

If you can get him at a decent price, I am not mad if we pursue him.

Thomas for Brzustewicz/Mews + Vegas 1st + Frost/Farabee would be fair for him. I don't mind it, but I would consider it if STL likes a package such as this. We have a lot of RHD in the system, may as well cash in on some. We still have our own 2nd, so losing VGK's 1st shouldn't be a complete loss, especially with the way our scouts have scouted lately.

There's also benefit to just standing pat and continue to be sellers. Thomas isn't going to put us in the playoffs, so I'd rather tank the season. Offseason? Different story if Thomas is still there. I don't imagine he will with the way STL is tanking.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Thomas seems like the type that would demand a classic roster, prospect, 1st.

Frost, Suniev and Battaglia along with the Vegas 1st.

Enough, or too low?

About the same spot I think. Probably a better prospect than the two you mentioned though.

[Calgary Highlander]

When you hear the Flames are interested in Robert Thomas, it's important to reflect on Craig's trade history.

The only deal where he gave up a meaningful asset (2nd round pick) was the Frost/Farabee deal, and that one is can be considered a "win" for Connie.

He's not acquiring roster players unless it's a clear win for the team.

That said, Thomas has a NTC, and he holds all the cards. I'm doubtful he's waiving for Calgary.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Also, pay attention to the Kings. I have seen some rumors here and there of a Pettersson/Thomas trade over there. With Fiala out, they're going to get aggressive to utilize his cap hit while Kopitar retires at the end of the season. Have to think they're trying to get one last crack at playoffs for AK.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Thomas seems like the type that would demand a classic roster, prospect, 1st.

Frost, Suniev and Battaglia along with the Vegas 1st.

Enough, or too low?

Not remotely close.

That's marginally better than what Andersson returned as a rental..

[Sol]

Surprised there is so much interest. Flames need to gain more picks and prospects, not less. They should not be #1(ish) center shopping at this point.

[Lewis_D]

Originally Posted by Sol

Surprised there is so much interest. Flames need to gain more picks and prospects, not less. They should not be #1(ish) center shopping at this point.

To be fair, all Sec said was they had inquired. If he's available I think many teams would be atleast talking with Utah.

Or maybe this just got lost in translation and Conroy was listening to matchbox twenty and was overheard saying "Man, I love this Rob Thomas guy!"

[stemit14]

All of sudden there are quite a few centers that could be moved before the trade deadline:

Thomas
Pettersson
Trochek
Kadri
O’Reilly

Will be lots of comparisons on returns if all those guys get traded in the next week or so.

[Sec214]

Originally Posted by Sol

Surprised there is so much interest. Flames need to gain more picks and prospects, not less. They should not be #1(ish) center shopping at this point.

I think its important to know the value of other teams assets around the league even if you aren't buying. It might give you a blind read into what assets other teams would be putting on the table and you can now target those if they're unsuccessful in acquiring Target A.

[Sec214]

Originally Posted by stemit14

All of sudden there are quite a few centers that could be moved before the trade deadline:

Thomas
Pettersson
Trochek
Kadri
O’Reilly

Will be lots of comparisons on returns if all those guys get traded in the next week or so.

Some of these are not the same TBH.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Some of these are not the same TBH.

For sure. Some are worth more than others based on production/age/contract/trade protection.

What it can also do sometimes is put trades into a holding pattern if teams prioritize one guy over others. For example, I could see Thomas being the most coveted player on that list so multiple teams might hold off going after one of the other centers before they know if they can get Thomas.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Some of these are not the same TBH.

Agreed.

Trocheck, Kadri, and O'Reilly feel like one group to me.

More Veteran centers who have a little bit of term left that you're acquiring more to be a 2-3 center that provides some veteran leadership as well. Who you prefer probably depends if you want more offense or more defense in that role.

Then Pettersson and Thomas are more similar in terms of age and long term solution as a potential 1C. But Pettersson is much higher risk due to his recent play and contract.

Thomas is probably the premier piece available on the market at center ice, so he's a bit different too.

[Sec214]

Originally Posted by stemit14

For sure. Some are worth more than others based on production/age/contract/trade protection.

What it can also do sometimes is put trades into a holding pattern if teams prioritize one guy over others. For example, I could see Thomas being the most coveted player on that list so multiple teams might hold off going after one of the other centers before they know if they can get Thomas.

Only two on that list that are comparable are Petterson and Thomas. Very different players however still #1 C's.

The secondary market for scoring is probably Kadri and O'Rielly.

Trochek is a top shutdown guy and probably has his own market from what I've heard.

[1qqaaz]

I still think it would be very unwise for the Blues to trade Thomas. Guys like that are never available, nor should they be. Been a point per game player since 2021 and still only 26 years old. Has long term contract control with a favorable cap hit. He tends to be the most consistent Blue, moreso than Kyrou or Buchnevich. If there was anyone on that team to build around long term, it would be him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Sol

Surprised there is so much interest. Flames need to gain more picks and prospects, not less. They should not be #1(ish) center shopping at this point.

You can debate the strategy but not whether Thomas is a legit 1C. He was 6th in PPG last season among centres. Ahead of Crosby, Hughes, Suzuki, Point, Scheifele. Just a hair behind Eichel.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I still think it would be very unwise for the Blues to trade Thomas. Guys like that are never available, nor should they be. Been a point per game player since 2021 and still only 26 years old. Has long term contract control with a favorable cap hit. He tends to be the most consistent Blue, moreso than Kyrou or Buchnevich. If there was anyone on that team to build around long term, it would be him.

They have good prospects and could pick at the top of this draft too.

They have quality vets they can move to add more picks. Unless he asked to be traded, I just don't see why they would either.

[Jason14h]

If you can get a guy like Thomas for late 1sts and B/B+ spects you jump on it every day of the week

And i say this as someone who doesn’t think he would fit our timeline at all - centers his age don’t come available often and everyone that gets traded ends up as a giant win for the team acquiring them

Doesn’t hurt to ask