2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I think it is exceptionally unlikely that they move Kadri at all.

Really? What makes you say that?

I realize he is a known commodity and there is risk with futures, but this really seems like the time to cash in as much as possible for picks and prospects.

Flames fans are giving the team a pass this year to reset the roster. It won't be long before expectations rise again (at which time Naz won't be able to help the team much).

I really hope all the vets are moved this year. They'll return picks and prospects and probably some character guys with expiring contracts. I don't think the dearth of leadership will hurt that much. Backs can earn his contract.

[Roko]

Classic Mike being contrarian. If Kadri modified his NMC to a 13 team then it’s inevitable.

[TheScorpion]

I think it would have to take an offer that knocks their socks off. And even then ... it just strikes me as an extraordinarily un-Flames thing to do. Moving a veteran forward with a ton of term left? Have they done that since Tanguay?

Different GM, sure ... but the only recent example I can think of is Markstrom, and he only had two years left and was going to be pushed out by Wolf. I think the Flames are going to want Kadri to be around for the new building. But I hope they move him.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I think it would have to take an offer that knocks their socks off. And even then ... it just strikes me as an extraordinarily un-Flames thing to do. Moving a veteran forward with a ton of term left? Have they done that since Tanguay?

Different GM, sure ... but the only recent example I can think of is Markstrom, and he only had two years left and was going to be pushed out by Wolf. I think the Flames are going to want Kadri to be around for the new building. But I hope they move him.

Sounds like Flames PTSD. I think Kadri is gone assuming the don’t get back into the race.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Sounds like Flames PTSD. I think Kadri is gone assuming the don’t get back into the race.

Agree that we don’t have to trade him. But also agree that that we should trade him if the offer is unbelievable. And substantial. Not these 1st rounds picks and b prospects packages that we’ve been getting for our rentals. Blue chip prospect at a bare minimum as this is a prime position and playoff performer that we would be moving on from. There’s a cost for that and needs to be met.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Or....
Kadri's agent.

I always say most of what insiders get come from agents.

100% agree that most of the time it is from the agent. I think this is a unique situation if it is true that he is agreeable to modify his NMC early. I think that this would probably be one of the times a team would be using Elliott to get the message out.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I think it would have to take an offer that knocks their socks off. And even then ... it just strikes me as an extraordinarily un-Flames thing to do. Moving a veteran forward with a ton of term left? Have they done that since Tanguay?

Different GM, sure ... but the only recent example I can think of is Markstrom, and he only had two years left and was going to be pushed out by Wolf. I think the Flames are going to want Kadri to be around for the new building. But I hope they move him.

The fact the the contract has been modified would suggest there is at least some interest on both sides
I suspect the price will still be high which could result in no trade
But the developments over the last few days suggest something has altered

[Roof-Daddy]

I get not trading Kadri last year, he had a full NMC, didn't want to move (reportedly) and the Flames were in the playoff race.

If they don't move him this year though, it'll be a real head scratcher for me. They should even retain on his contract if it helps.

Maybe Conroy doesn't get decent offers for him, but I doubt that. Especially if they put some retention on the table.

[TheScorpion]

How sure are we about the NMC being changed? My money is on the contract being structured this way from the beginning and it not mattering enough to correct the record until now.

[really?]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I think it would have to take an offer that knocks their socks off. And even then ... it just strikes me as an extraordinarily un-Flames thing to do. Moving a veteran forward with a ton of term left? Have they done that since Tanguay?

Different GM, sure ... but the only recent example I can think of is Markstrom, and he only had two years left and was going to be pushed out by Wolf. I think the Flames are going to want Kadri to be around for the new building. But I hope they move him.

Wanting him to be around isn’t the same as him wanting to be around. I would offer Markstrom didn’t move to make room for Wolf, but rather Wolf was ready when Markstrom made it known he wanted to move on. Much like Kadri, when Markstrom inked his deal the Flames were in a different place. He saw Gaudreau, Tchachuk, Giordano and Lindholm walk out the door and I gotta believe he quietly made it known he wanted out.

Maybe Kadri likes living in the area so much he is willing to spend the end of his career as part of a roster building rather than competing, but given his competitive nature, that is doubtful. I imagine he’s quietly made it known he wishes to be on a team he feels is positioned to compete, and despite his competitive nature refusing to move a player in that position tends to result in diminishing returns on investment. It’s not good business to force guys to age in place if there is value in moving them.

[Rhett44]

It is the Flames. Unless Kadri asks to be moved, they won't do it.

Because that would involve being proactive and thinking long term, rather than being reactive.

[D as in David]

Did Conroy go all Darth Vader on Kadrissian?

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

It is the Flames. Unless Kadri asks to be moved, they won't do it.

Because that would involve being proactive and thinking long term, rather than being reactive.

Wah wah wah

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

It is the Flames. Unless Kadri asks to be moved, they won't do it.

Because that would involve being proactive and thinking long term, rather than being reactive.

You mean like how they hung onto Markstrom and Mangiapane until they walked as UFAs?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Wah wah wah

Careful or you’re going to get called a homer.

And then the whining that people aren’t nice to him starts.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

It is the Flames. Unless Kadri asks to be moved, they won't do it.

Because that would involve being proactive and thinking long term, rather than being reactive.

I tend to stay out of these sorts of discussions these days, but I felt compelled to chime in here. Conroy has done absolutely nothing to make me feel as though your line of thinking is accurate. Since taking on this role, he’s done literally everything we’ve asked of him. He’s moved out almost every pending free agent, signed young players to long term contracts and brought in a ton of additional draft capital to the best draft high ceiling prospects available at the time. He’s actively avoided signing UFAs, runs a lean roster with a ton of salary space, made room for young players to make the team out of camps and has avoided actively trying to improve a team that has started the season on a historically poor trajectory.

He’s literally doing what we have asked of him. I see no reason to think he’s going to suddenly stop. We know the path the team are on, and so does he. By all accounts, he’s built strong relationships with the players and coaches, and I have no doubt he’s spoken to veterans about what’s next.

We as fans need to have some patience, stop overreacting at every little development and cheer the boys on as they continue to give their all in super challenging circumstances. The effort is still there, young players are being given chances to develop and vets are being moved when the time is right. Fingers crossed this leads to where we all want it to, draft high, bring in some real top end talent that will be insulated by a ton of depth at every position.

Sit back and enjoy the ride and just keep cheering. Enough with the judgment and negativity, this process is hard enough without adding that kind of stuff in.

[iloveicedhockey]

I see enough absolute nonsense just through others quoting him.

[Sandman]

I could see a scenario where Conny holds on to Kadri until Kadri decides he wants to move on, citing his desire to “do the right thing” for a player who signed here long term for family reasons….

I don’t necessarily agree with that, but I could see it.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Roko

Classic Mike being contrarian. If Kadri modified his NMC to a 13 team then it’s inevitable.

Originally Posted by Robbob

100% agree that most of the time it is from the agent. I think this is a unique situation if it is true that he is agreeable to modify his NMC early. I think that this would probably be one of the times a team would be using Elliott to get the message out.

I'm confused - who said it was modified versus being this way all along (and people just having it down wrong)?

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I get not trading Kadri last year, he had a full NMC, didn't want to move (reportedly) and the Flames were in the playoff race.

If they don't move him this year though, it'll be a real head scratcher for me. They should even retain on his contract if it helps.

Maybe Conroy doesn't get decent offers for him, but I doubt that. Especially if they put some retention on the table.

A 13 team NTC is fairly easy to manipulate if he wanted to avoid being traded. Any rebuilding team (or team that is about to have to rebuild) is not going to want him (eg Pitt, SJ, Chi, Utah, CBJ, LA, Ana, TB), the Flames are also unlikely to trade to Edmonton, and he could safely exclude a tean with two good centres already (eg Dallas, NJD, NYR). Just list all the other teams and you are almost trade proof.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I could see a scenario where Conny holds on to Kadri until Kadri decides he wants to move on, citing his desire to “do the right thing” for a player who signed here long term for family reasons….

I don’t necessarily agree with that, but I could see it.

That can start in a few weeks after milestone and related celebrations.

I hope at least that the Flames can win #1000 for him.

If this streak continues, it will be easy to package the messaging as you suggest. It would be a mercy.