2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Feels like a high likelihood this is a trade deadline item now no? 2/3 of the league seem like they are set for the year and aren't playing with a ton of cap space and it's pretty clear no one wants to pay Conroy's price. And the rest are bottom feeders who he won't want to sign with. Only scenario where it still happens seems like if someone gets badly hurt in the early part of the season and a team gets desperate.

The only thing I'm really worried about is if the flames have another road to nowhere season and bad but are sticking around in the playoff race and they can't trade him, have to keep him and lose him for nothing. Team will be way worse off next summer, worse draft pick, young player who could have had NHL minutes gets stuck in the AHL. Playing with fire there a bit I think, real shame he couldn't be moved at the draft this year, felt like a perfect opportunity to get younger, but I respect that the offers must have been bad and Conroy stuck to his guns. Just too bad he couldn't have pulled anything off. I do also feel like the Flames would be better off as an organization with a "B" level return for him just by getting him off the roster, getting a slightly better pick next year and investing his ice time in a young player who can improve.

Given no one stepped up to acquire him, I also wonder a bit if Andersson is going to be Glencrossed next summer and be a bit surprised when no one backs up the brinks truck for him. Maybe a lot of other teams see his lack of footspeed and just aren't sold on him as more than a 4

Actually 2/3 of the league has enough cap space to add him at 50% if they sent 0 salary back. Almost every team in the league can afford him if they send a roster player back as a cap dump

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Feels like a high likelihood this is a trade deadline item now no? 2/3 of the league seem like they are set for the year and aren't playing with a ton of cap space and it's pretty clear no one wants to pay Conroy's price. And the rest are bottom feeders who he won't want to sign with. Only scenario where it still happens seems like if someone gets badly hurt in the early part of the season and a team gets desperate.

The only thing I'm really worried about is if the flames have another road to nowhere season and bad but are sticking around in the playoff race and they can't trade him, have to keep him and lose him for nothing. Team will be way worse off next summer, worse draft pick, young player who could have had NHL minutes gets stuck in the AHL. Playing with fire there a bit I think, real shame he couldn't be moved at the draft this year, felt like a perfect opportunity to get younger, but I respect that the offers must have been bad and Conroy stuck to his guns. Just too bad he couldn't have pulled anything off. I do also feel like the Flames would be better off as an organization with a "B" level return for him just by getting him off the roster, getting a slightly better pick next year and investing his ice time in a young player who can improve.

Given no one stepped up to acquire him, I also wonder a bit if Andersson is going to be Glencrossed next summer and be a bit surprised when no one backs up the brinks truck for him. Maybe a lot of other teams see his lack of footspeed and just aren't sold on him as more than a 4

I am guessing that your assumptions are just coming from the fact that nothing has happened yet. There is still a long list of teams that need help on the right side of their D and Andersson is the only name out there right now. Karlsson might be out there too but that is a tougher cap hit to fit and he has a full NMC to navigate.

As for the draft... after the top 10 of the draft, I am not sure trading up was really worth it anymore. At that point it made more sense to wait until after July 1st to see what happened with Ekblad and start building a trade with or without the extension in place.

I can see the trade still happening this summer. A number of the teams would want Andersson for the regular season to help them get to the playoffs. My thoughts on the teams rumoured to be interested:
- Stars = Do not need Andersson to make the playoffs but want to upgrade RD for a cup push
- VGK = Do not need Andersson to make the playoffs but want to upgrade RD for a cup push
- Hurricanes = Do not need Andersson to make the playoffs but want to upgrade RD for a cup push
- Leafs = Likely do not need Andersson to make the playoffs but want to upgrade RD to do better in the playoffs
- Blues = Want to upgrade their D group for the regular season to be more solid in playoff contention
- Red Wings = Need to upgrade RD immediately to get over the bubble and into the playoffs
- Bruins= Need to upgrade RD immediately to get over the bubble and into the playoffs
- Sabres = Need to upgrade RD (and team culture) immediate to climb out of the basement
- Sharks = Need to upgrade RD immediate to climb out of the basement

[My2Cents]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Andersson seems like the type of player who will hit a steep decline going into his 30’s.

Agreed, but even more than that I am worried soon as he gets his retirement contract he will be less effective.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Andersson seems like the type of player who will hit a steep decline going into his 30’s.

And it may have started, or not. Hard to figure out what last year was for him.

It might make sense to see how he starts the year. If it’s like last year’s start, them maybe move him.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Do it now for what?
What’s your bare minimum

Whatever the best offer he gets is by the time the seasons starts. I don't have enough details to say exactly what that is, but I can assume that whatever the offer is, trade deadline can only be so much better.

My point is, if the offer is Bertucci and a 2nd now, no way it will be Bertucci and 2 1sts at the deadline. Maybe 1.

Best case scenario maybe you can add 5% chance of drafting/developing a top 2-line F or D with the package at the deadline vs the package now.

Deadline you probably get a 1st and a good prospect thrown at you, but teams that throw a 1st at you at the deadline are already in the mix for the playoffs or the cup. Season is already 2 3rds done, and more likely to be later in the round. A very small % chance you could get lucky with a pick now from a team that thinks they are a contender and have a poor season.

I prefer the target future 1sts now or at the deadline. I would do it if any team offered 1 straight up, especially if unprotected.

What is bare minimum? Not sure, it would be based on the best offer I get. I would do it now no matter what as I'm sure he has got offered more than a 2nd and has had discussions with several teams I'm sure all teams are willing to offer more than a 2nd. The differential in odds of picking up impact players with better offers at the deadline are not guaranteed to be better and likely are only a few % higher on paper, end results is all I care about though and the pros of doing it now IMO have a similar positive impact than a slightly better deal at the deadline.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

I never said they have made a mistake with Ras, summer isn't over yet.

You seem to be suggesting they are stubbornly waiting for an offer that will never come.

Seems like a mistake to me.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Whatever the best offer he gets is by the time the seasons starts. I don't have enough details to say exactly what that is, but I can assume that whatever the offer is, trade deadline can only be so much better.

My point is, if the offer is Bertucci and a 2nd now, no way it will be Bertucci and 2 1sts at the deadline. Maybe 1.

Best case scenario maybe you can add 5% chance of drafting/developing a top 2-line F or D with the package at the deadline vs the package now.

Deadline you probably get a 1st and a good prospect thrown at you, but teams that throw a 1st at you at the deadline are already in the mix for the playoffs or the cup. Season is already 2 3rds done, and more likely to be later in the round. A very small % chance you could get lucky with a pick now from a team that thinks they are a contender and have a poor season.

I prefer the target future 1sts now or at the deadline. I would do it if any team offered 1 straight up, especially if unprotected.

What is bare minimum? Not sure, it would be based on the best offer I get. I would do it now no matter what as I'm sure he has got offered more than a 2nd and has had discussions with several teams I'm sure all teams are willing to offer more than a 2nd. The differential in odds of picking up impact players with better offers at the deadline are not guaranteed to be better and likely are only a few % higher on paper, end results is all I care about though and the pros of doing it now IMO have a similar positive impact than a slightly better deal at the deadline.

You don't think there is a significant value difference between a late first (lets say 25-30) and a late 2nd (55-30)?

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Bingo

You seem to be suggesting they are stubbornly waiting for an offer that will never come.

Seems like a mistake to me.

That's what Royle said they are doing. My comment says my opinion is at some point they should budge before the season. Why? Sometimes the difference in the better return is really only a minimal gain. Some posters on here act like a late 1st is gold and a 2nd is significantly less valuable. It is not if the 1st is past the top 20. Maybe 2% more likely to add an impact player with a late 1st vs any 2nd.

Also, Kuznetsov and Soloyov are both 24/25 years old, have 200+ games in the AHL and deserve a crack. I think it would be better for the team if they start the season with the Flames. Also, there is a pretty decent chance that the offers actually do not get better or even worse as the season goes on. Can anyone actually guarantee they offers will improve and by how much?

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

You don't think there is a significant value difference between a late first (lets say 25-30) and a late 2nd (55-30)?

15 years of data says around 2%. I don't care about 3rd and 4th line talent, I believe the Flames can get that with their own picks, as long as they don't trade them like they have in the past.

Impact players are what I care about. Top 6 F, top 4 d and #1 goalies.

2004-2018 says around 2%

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

15 years of data says around 2%. I don't care about 3rd and 4th line talent, I believe the Flames can get that with their own picks, as long as they don't trade them like they have in the past.

Impact players are what I care about. Top 6 F, top 4 d and #1 goalies.

2004-2018 says around 2%

Can you link to the source of that data?
That ignores the other ways the assets have more value.
A late 1st is more valuable as a trade chip for a player
A late 1st is more valuable to try and move up
A late 1st is more valuable to move down and get more picks.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

That's what Royle said they are doing. My comment says my opinion is at some point they should budge before the season. Why? Sometimes the difference in the better return is really only a minimal gain. Some posters on here act like a late 1st is gold and a 2nd is significantly less valuable. It is not if the 1st is past the top 20. Maybe 2% more likely to add an impact player with a late 1st vs any 2nd.

Also, Kuznetsov and Soloyov are both 24/25 years old, have 200+ games in the AHL and deserve a crack. I think it would be better for the team if they start the season with the Flames. Also, there is a pretty decent chance that the offers actually do not get better or even worse as the season goes on. Can anyone actually guarantee they offers will improve and by how much?

When did Royle say they are waiting for a deal that will never come?

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by Sec214

If he wants to stay long term, that deal is sitting for him to sign it. Flames have made their respectful best offer. No its not market rate, no its not max term.

It's the old "hometown discount" many have and have not taken before him.

Fyp

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

That's what Royle said they are doing. My comment says my opinion is at some point they should budge before the season. Why? Sometimes the difference in the better return is really only a minimal gain. Some posters on here act like a late 1st is gold and a 2nd is significantly less valuable. It is not if the 1st is past the top 20. Maybe 2% more likely to add an impact player with a late 1st vs any 2nd.

Also, Kuznetsov and Soloyov are both 24/25 years old, have 200+ games in the AHL and deserve a crack. I think it would be better for the team if they start the season with the Flames. Also, there is a pretty decent chance that the offers actually do not get better or even worse as the season goes on. Can anyone actually guarantee they offers will improve and by how much?

If you budge on Rasmus and accept an inferior offer you will budge on future deals too. Why would any GM not just wait out Conroy on future deals with that precedent. If teams want a right shot dman Rasmus is one of the only quality ones available. If you fold on a good asset you will definitely fold on less desirable assets you might want to trade in the future (or at least that is what people will think).

[Robbob]

There is also no urgency right now, which is probably why the offer they want isn't on the table. Other teams also know the Flames would probably like to have this sorted before training camp or the season where it will be a thing. They are stringing Conroy along seeing if he blinks first. We went through all this before with Lindholm and when a team stepped up the trigger was pulled. I can see the same thing happening here.

To Jiri's point a late first is pretty huge, especially when you are already sitting on 2 other 1st round picks in this 26 draft. It give you a lot of options. The 26 and 28th pick have a Puckpedia value of around 26 points. 15 is valued at 25 points. Maybe 2026 is the year you can package picks to move into the top 10 or top 5 depending on where the Flames finish.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by My2Cents

Agreed, but even more than that I am worried soon as he gets his retirement contract he will be less effective.

Disagree - Andersson plays the game with passion, he is very competitive.

Originally Posted by The Cobra

And it may have started, or not. Hard to figure out what last year was for him.

It might make sense to see how he starts the year. If it’s like last year’s start, them maybe move him.

Whatever last year was (we already know it was injury-riddled, but some people want to dismiss that fact because it doesn't fit their narrative), it didn't have anything to do with a retirement contract, because he hasn't gotten one yet.

The fact that Andersson wants to bet on himself and play out this year in order to get better a better contract, tells me all I need to know about his drive and competitiveness.

Will his game hold up long term? That's a different question, and that is what Sandman was originally asking. We'll see. But I don't think his attitude will be a problem.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

If you budge on Rasmus and accept an inferior offer you will budge on future deals too. Why would any GM not just wait out Conroy on future deals with that precedent. If teams want a right shot dman Rasmus is one of the only quality ones available. If you fold on a good asset you will definitely fold on less desirable assets you might want to trade in the future (or at least that is what people will think).

Conroy would budge if the market tells him he needs to budge to trade Rasmus. In that case, it would not really be an inferior offer, it would be a market offer.

But Conroy does not need to be in a huge hurry, he can wait to see if the market improves.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Disagree - Andersson plays the game with passion, he is very competitive.




Whatever last year was (we already know it was injury-riddled, but some people want to dismiss that fact because it doesn't fit their narrative), it didn't have anything to do with a retirement contract, because he hasn't gotten one yet.

The fact that Andersson wants to bet on himself and play out this year in order to get better a better contract, tells me all I need to know about his drive and competitiveness.

Will his game hold up long term? That's a different question, and that is what Sandman was originally asking. We'll see. But I don't think his attitude will be a problem.

I wasn't suggesting that I think his attitude was going to change, I have little doubt about that.

But his hockey skills may have started declining. And maybe they were injury related, but I believe that was more at the very end of the season.

In any event, his start to this season might show the hockey world he is still an effective dman.

[Gugstanley]

The problem with carrying Ras to the trade deadline is that the Flames may be in a similar position to last season. Is Conroy going to trade him if the Flames are in a playoff spot?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Gugstanley

The problem with carrying Ras to the trade deadline is that the Flames may be in a similar position to last season. Is Conroy going to trade him if the Flames are in a playoff spot?

He has stated, several times, that he learned a lot about the risks of doing so with Johnny and that he wouldn't do that again.

So it would be a big pivot away from that.

[flambers]

Personally in my view, Andersson plays a style where injuries are a concern

If the plan is to trade him, carrying him to the deadline is a mistake

(i.e. he blocks shots etc)

This is a player that ideally needs to go before the season starts,