2024 Off-season trade rumours and speculation thread

[kehatch]

Personally I think Kadri should be the priority to move. He is coming off of a great season and has some value. Given his age and the state of our team there is a reasonable chance he isn't good next season. If that happens, you have another anchor contract. Move him while you have value.

Weegar is another guy I would be thinking hard on. He just had a career season at 30 years old and is signed long term. I have fewer concerns of him falling off a cliff. But lets be honest, if he was a free agent Conroy wouldn't be signing him to a 7-year deal.

Right now it should be more about asset management then building a team for the next few seasons. If you have players with more value today then they will have tomorrow then you should be moving them. Especially if they have reasonable value today and are a potential contract anchor in the future.

[Niemo]

Huberdeau will be a Flame until he has 2 years left in his deal at least. Simply not moveable. I’m glad that he seems to be a good leader in the room.

[Sandman]

Grain of salt, but Pagnotta recently said that Kadri’s name is “out there”, and that he would be willing to waive his NTC for the right situation.

Again, don’t shoot the messenger.

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

…
Backlund
Coleman
Kadri
Huberdeau
Andersson
Weegar

……..

The trick is, you want the vets around as long as they are happy being here.
Since we’ve headed down this road, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kadri and Coleman would not mind moving on, can’t really get a read on Andersson, Backlund seems happy/quiet as long as he’s having fun so that leaves us with Weegar.

[Calgary4LIfe]

My thoughts on the vets:

Backlund is the captain, so unless he asks for a trade, I would keep him.
Coleman is my next 'best vet' on the team. He is the only other person that I would really want as captain if Backlund left. I would only entertain trading him for an overpayment, or unless he asks to be moved.
Weegar is another solid vet. However, he isn't perfect in terms of leadership, as I do remember after the St. Louis game he said: "They broke us" comment. Overall, a solid vet though that plays well game in and game out.
Kadri did great work with the kids this past season (credit to him, as I thought he would roll over and die like he did the previous season). However, that's 7 million on the cap for far too long, especially when the Flames have Huberdeau's deal for a year longer. If you can move him, do it.
Andersson - I have zero issues with keep Andersson around, but that's a very attractive contract similar to Hamonic's at the time (and Andersson is a better player!). Flames could really get a ransom here, otherwise I am fine with keeping him.
Lomberg was just brought in and will be a great guy to have around this team.
Hanley is a journeyman - I expect him to be a 7th D (and I think the Flames carry 8 this year), if he is a good leader, otherwise he is likely waived and sent to the AHL.

You can always find a good vet that is trying to hand on for another season, or a shot at the cup. If he doesn't find a spot on a team, he can then circle back mid-offseason and try to at least find a spot that will allow him to showcase himself for the deadline.

Here is an up-to-date (fairly accurate) list of UFAs still available. Some of these guys will bring a lot of leadership to fill in a hole left if Calgary trades away a vet or two if given good enough offers.
https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/_/year/2024

Someone like Okposo stands out to me. Maybe he is retiring, or maybe he wants another kick at the can? As other people have said, maybe Cousins? Maybe Shattenkirk for a vet presence? Giordano is around if you want a good vet as your 7th. Point is, there are options.

I am of the opinion that culture has a lot to do with winning, and bringing these kids up in the proper culture does help. This is why Conroy doesn't want to do a scorched-earth rebuild, and I agree with him completely. However, if I am him, nobody is really off-limits, but if I do trade a vet, I would try and sign a vet to replace that leadership.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Grain of salt, but Pagnotta recently said that Kadri’s name is “out there”, and that he would be willing to waive his NTC for the right situation.

Again, don’t shoot the messenger.

I’m 1000% positive Kadri would waive to be competitive.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Grain of salt, but Pagnotta recently said that Kadri’s name is “out there”, and that he would be willing to waive his NTC for the right situation.

Again, don’t shoot the messenger.

Not shooting the messenger but Pagnotta is more full of #### than anyone in hockey media. The modern day Eklund.

[Heavy Jack]

Pagnotta good at his job am I right?!

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Exactly. I wonder how good Huby and Kadri are for the youngsters- I know Huberdeau was good for Pelletier, but I wonder to what degree these two are “leaders”.

When the Pelletier stories were coming out, they were regarding other prospects as well. For example Huberdeau took both Pelletier and MacKey out for dinner at NY the first time they were there to get to know them. He obviously covered the tab.I believe there was a similar story with Gilbert and someone else Zary/Coronato maybe?

Guys like Pelletier also mentioned that Huberdeau works really hard on the ice and isn't only a skilled player. It seems as though he's setting a good example on and off the ice. I thought he was an absolute pro when Huska scratched him, and he is saying all the right things.

As for Kadri, both Zary and Pospisil were very complimentary of him. I'm pretty sure both of them mentioned Kadri helping them with the details of the game. Kadri himself looked rejuvenated with the youth movement.

If any of them start pouting, then I think that Huska will keep them in line. He seems to have built a lot of good will with the players.

Finally, I think that having Iggy around our younger players is going to boost whichever leadership qualities our roster is lacking.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

When the Pelletier stories were coming out, they were regarding other prospects as well. For example Huberdeau took both Pelletier and MacKey out for dinner at NY the first time they were there to get to know them. He obviously covered the tab.I believe there was a similar story with Gilbert and someone else Zary/Coronato maybe?

Guys like Pelletier also mentioned that Huberdeau works really hard on the ice and isn't only a skilled player. It seems as though he's setting a good example on and off the ice. I thought he was an absolute pro when Huska scratched him, and he is saying all the right things.

As for Kadri, both Zary and Pospisil were very complimentary of him. I'm pretty sure both of them mentioned Kadri helping them with the details of the game. Kadri himself looked rejuvenated with the youth movement.

If any of them start pouting, then I think that Huska will keep them in line. He seems to have built a lot of good will with the players.

Finally, I think that having Iggy around our younger players is going to boost whichever leadership qualities our roster is lacking.

Yeah, there's stories about Huberdeau really looking after the new/young players off ice. I think there was at least one or two other young players in on that dinner (or maybe it was a separate one).

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

As for Kadri, both Zary and Pospisil were very complimentary of him. I'm pretty sure both of them mentioned Kadri helping them with the details of the game. Kadri himself looked rejuvenated with the youth movement.

I think Kadri is a great leader on the ice and on the bench. He seems very vocal and both Zary and Pospisil seem to respect that. I think it for sure helps Kadri to play with a couple of guys that are willing to take his instructions and feedback to heart. It allows him to drive the line and the results were better for it.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

My thoughts on the vets:

Backlund is the captain, so unless he asks for a trade, I would keep him.
Coleman is my next 'best vet' on the team. He is the only other person that I would really want as captain if Backlund left. I would only entertain trading him for an overpayment, or unless he asks to be moved.
Weegar is another solid vet. However, he isn't perfect in terms of leadership, as I do remember after the St. Louis game he said: "They broke us" comment. Overall, a solid vet though that plays well game in and game out.
Kadri did great work with the kids this past season (credit to him, as I thought he would roll over and die like he did the previous season). However, that's 7 million on the cap for far too long, especially when the Flames have Huberdeau's deal for a year longer. If you can move him, do it.
Andersson - I have zero issues with keep Andersson around, but that's a very attractive contract similar to Hamonic's at the time (and Andersson is a better player!). Flames could really get a ransom here, otherwise I am fine with keeping him.
Lomberg was just brought in and will be a great guy to have around this team.
Hanley is a journeyman - I expect him to be a 7th D (and I think the Flames carry 8 this year), if he is a good leader, otherwise he is likely waived and sent to the AHL.

You can always find a good vet that is trying to hand on for another season, or a shot at the cup. If he doesn't find a spot on a team, he can then circle back mid-offseason and try to at least find a spot that will allow him to showcase himself for the deadline.

Here is an up-to-date (fairly accurate) list of UFAs still available. Some of these guys will bring a lot of leadership to fill in a hole left if Calgary trades away a vet or two if given good enough offers.
https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/_/year/2024

Someone like Okposo stands out to me. Maybe he is retiring, or maybe he wants another kick at the can? As other people have said, maybe Cousins? Maybe Shattenkirk for a vet presence? Giordano is around if you want a good vet as your 7th. Point is, there are options.

I am of the opinion that culture has a lot to do with winning, and bringing these kids up in the proper culture does help. This is why Conroy doesn't want to do a scorched-earth rebuild, and I agree with him completely. However, if I am him, nobody is really off-limits, but if I do trade a vet, I would try and sign a vet to replace that leadership.

Maybe not a vet per se, but I think you could add Jake Bean to the list.

Seems like a smart kid who has seen and been through a lot in his career. Also a guy who wants to be here. That kind of presence in the room can be impactful, especially to the young guys.

I think Bean’s a guy who could round out into a solid vet.

[Sandman]

Good point. Bean might be a guy who really thrives here.

[FlamesAddiction]

Pagnotta is really pushing the Kadri to Colorado idea. He basically said that Kadri isn't asking for a trade, but would accept one and he and Colorado would have mutual interest if Landeskog can't play next season, and of course with the Nichushkin situation.

I am not sure that I buy into a lot of what Pagnotta says, but there is logic there. They would have kept Kadri at the time if they could have. And while Kadri's contract is a little on the high side for a player his age, he actually does seem to be aging well and could end up being one of those rare players that stays productive through their 30s. The early returns seem indicate a real possibility IMO.

I am not pining to trade Kadri. He is possibly my current favourite player on the roster, but if he can bring back some future pieces, it would make sense to do it. The downside of course is that Conroy made the point every young player they put him with plays well and it is great to have a veteran on your team who can do that. It's an honourable role to have on a rebuilding team, but I could see why it might not be the one he really wants in his heart.

I don't know what a fair trade would look like. They have no 1st in 2025, so maybe a 2026 1st? But then they would be going 2 years in a row without a 1st and not team likes to do that. Maybe they would be willing to let go newly drafted Ryder Ritchie, but trading newly drafted players is rare (happened when the Flames acquired Iginla IIRC).

Maybe Sean Behrins, Ivan Ivan, and a 2nd round pick? I demand that any trade with Colorado brings Ivan Ivan as part of the return,

If this is a dumb proposal, you can murder me with words.

[Niemo]

I think Kadri is worth a 1st without retention.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Niemo

I think Kadri is worth a 1st without retention.

If these past few seasons taught us something, it’s that the pendulum has swung the other way and teams are super reluctant to deal away firsts. A few years ago teams were erroneously short sighted and dealing solid firsts for veteran help. Now we’re rarely seeing that. I was shocked Markstrom, a potential game breaker for a team, wouldn’t get that. So while Kadri may be valuable, he’s probably going to have to exceed last year to get a first from someone. He’s got a unique skill set but I don’t think he’s the pest he was from years past and that’s the attribute that sets him apart in the past.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by bluejays

If these past few seasons taught us something, it’s that the pendulum has swung the other way and teams are super reluctant to deal away firsts. A few years ago teams were erroneously short sighted and dealing solid firsts for veteran help. Now we’re rarely seeing that. I was shocked Markstrom, a potential game breaker for a team, wouldn’t get that. So while Kadri may be valuable, he’s probably going to have to exceed last year to get a first from someone. He’s got a unique skill set but I don’t think he’s the pest he was from years past and that’s the attribute that sets him apart in the past.

I don't think this is the issue - veteran help is valuable, and I suspect will continue to be coveted by contending teams, as it always has.

What changed in the last few years was the value of cap space, and the realization that a veteran player on full salary shouldn't be valued as highly - not because the player isn't valuable, but because cap space had gotten to such a premium, and so many teams were tight to the cap. This was exacerbated by Covid and the cap not going up much, over a 3 or 4 year period.

However, the pendulum tends to swing back and forth on these sorts of things, and I wouldn't be surprised if, over the next few years, the cost of veteran players starts to inch back upward again, with respect to picks, as the cap rises at a faster and steadier rate.

tl/dr: supply and demand

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I don't think this is the issue - veteran help is valuable, and I suspect will continue to be coveted by contending teams, as it always has.

What changed in the last few years was the value of cap space, and the realization that a veteran player on full salary shouldn't be valued as highly - not because the player isn't valuable, but because cap space had gotten to such a premium, and so many teams were tight to the cap. This was exacerbated by Covid and the cap not going up much, over a 3 or 4 year period.

However, the pendulum tends to swing back and forth on these sorts of things, and I wouldn't be surprised if, over the next few years, the cost of veteran players starts to inch back upward again, with respect to picks, as the cap rises at a faster and steadier rate.


tl/dr: supply and demand

Probably all true. Nothing is ever static. This past year I was very surprised there weren’t more moves. We heard about the weak draft. The supply on players was lacking. It was all a recipe for deals. But they overall didn’t transpire, probably for the aforementioned reasons you mentioned.

[Jiri Hrdina]

The narrative about it being a weak draft was false, put forth by a few poorly informed columnists.

[Monahammer]

Ritchie and a 2nd for Kadri seems fair.