2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Roko]

The next sec GIF closer to Kadris 1000th is gonna hit like crack

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I definitely have a new fear unlocked with the potential of Weegar simply not wanting to be part of this rebuild. Bahl will instantly become the Flames' top defensive blue-liner.


I am 100% on "team rebuild", but I am not on team "burn it to the ground, and let's tear up the foundation while we are at it"!


Development takes a hit when you have a team that can't play a structured defensive game. I think removing Andersson essentially nukes the defence as is. Andersson + Weegar is madness. I hope he wants to stick around. It shouldn't be the end of the world if he leaves, but I do think it creates issues.


I remember Dubynk's story very well - he couldn't trust the defence in front of him, so he would cheat to compensate. Over time, these became bad habits, and it took a while for him to break out of it. You would hope that good goalie coaching would help prevent this, but maybe placing Wolf in that kind of an environment can lead to some damage to his development.


Tough for the kids to get brought in with Bahl being the mentor, or Bahl and Hanley as the mentors. No offence against either one of them, but Bahl is too inexperienced for that (he has yet to be an anchor on his own pairing), but that's what he will become.


It is interesting if Weegar chooses to leave. I would expect quite the return though, so that eases things a little, but holy that's basically nuking the team entirely shipping off Andersson, Coleman, Kadri and Weegar. Huberdeau and Backlund will be staring at one another like deer in the headlights after that.

You can’t dump all of the vets unless you are bringing in Carey Price contracts to reach the cap floor.

I would assume Backlund and Huberdeau are staying for sure. Andersson is leaving for sure.

Kadri not sure about. But my guess is he stays unless the team gets an offer they can’t pass up. I also would guess Coleman stays because I think at this point his value as a leader outweighs what they could get for him.

[This post is terrible]

Originally Posted by Roko

The next sec GIF closer to Kadris 1000th is gonna hit like crack

Is anyone actually expecting a trade after his 1000th? I mean like within a week afterwards. It’s weird how often it’s been brought up

[Roko]

The team needs to lose more but yeah I think earlier is better

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by This post is terrible

Is anyone actually expecting a trade after his 1000th? I mean like within a week afterwards. It’s weird how often it’s been brought up

I think it’s more implied it definitely won’t happen before

[Calgary4LIfe]

Flames can trade basically any two contracts without retention or taking salary back, and still be above the cap floor, so theoretically, they could trade-out many of the vets.

However, I am definitely not advocating this in the slightest - far from it, actually.

This is how I see the 'vets':

Certainty of staying:
Backlund - he has re-signed to retire a Flame, and break the record for most games played as a Flame.
Huberdeau - Heavy negative value asset right now unless the Flames retain significantly - but given the number of years, that's a non-starter.

Certainty of leaving this season:
Andersson - upcoming UFA. He is moving for sure I would think.

More vague, but likely to be moved:
Kadri - There is a market now.
Coleman - I 100% agree and would love to keep Coleman as I value his leadership on this team more than most on this forum. I think, however, his return will surprise people.
Hanley - he isn't really mentioned as part of the leadership group, but he is an older player, and if he can be traded for a 6th or 7th round pick, then I would think there is a chance he goes.

Unlikely moving this season or in the near future:
Weegar - long term deal, and the Flames are already thin on defence.
Lomberg - a bit of a rich contract, and generally not a guy teams bring in for a cup run, but he is a guy that teams want for a rebuild to help protect the kids and help keep things positive.

That's how I see it. I would love to keep Coleman, but Coleman may not want to stay either. I am worried that Weegar will not be willing to stay either. It doesn't mean I want to see them traded, but rather that they may force a trade-out as I am sure they would rather play for a contender.


If the worst ends up happening and all the vets ask to be moved, I am sure that Conroy can find ways to stay above the cap floor. Once again - not my preference, but rather my worry.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

the culture is to work hard to win with whatever you've got, instead of giving up and being happy to lose. But I already know you don't understand that concept.

I really think the whole vet leadership thing is a bit overstated. Sure, you need a couple but I don't think keeping a bunch of vets is really necessary.

I also don't really know whether we have a "good culture". We were winning last year, and are losing this year with the same players.

I'll use a couple examples as well. Huberdeau and Weegar never won anything in Florida, they were perennial losers year after year. They came to Calgary and haven't won anything here. Yet I have seen posts that they provide great vet leadership, which I am not sure what that is even based on. Unless you're in the locker room, how would you even know?

And then you have Kadri who had the reputation of a playoff choker as he always got suspended in the playoffs. He finally left the Leafs and won the cup with a stacked Avs team. Like that team was absolutely stacked, he played a part in winning as well. But because he was on a stacked team and won, does that now mean he knows how to win and is a great vet presence? Half this forum was ready to run him out of town when he wouldn't play for Darryl Sutter.

It's just a weird concept to me. I don't know how you can even say who is or isn't a good presence in the locker room.

[Jay Random]

Calgary4LIfe, that's a refreshingly level-headed view of the matter. Thanks!

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

I really think the whole vet leadership thing is a bit overstated. Sure, you need a couple but I don't think keeping a bunch of vets is really necessary.

I also don't really know whether we have a "good culture". We were winning last year, and are losing this year with the same players.

I'll use a couple examples as well. Huberdeau and Weegar never won anything in Florida, they were perennial losers year after year. They came to Calgary and haven't won anything here. Yet I have seen posts that they provide great vet leadership, which I am not sure what that is even based on. Unless you're in the locker room, how would you even know?

And then you have Kadri who had the reputation of a playoff choker as he always got suspended in the playoffs. He finally left the Leafs and won the cup with a stacked Avs team. Like that team was absolutely stacked, he played a part in winning as well. But because he was on a stacked team and won, does that now mean he knows how to win and is a great vet presence? Half this forum was ready to run him out of town when he wouldn't play for Darryl Sutter.

It's just a weird concept to me. I don't know how you can even say who is or isn't a good presence in the locker room.

Well the Avs were crap in the playoffs before Kadri and crap in the playoffs after Kadri, so there is that. They are a stacked team that has done nothing when he was not there.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Well the Avs were crap in the playoffs before Kadri and crap in the playoffs after Kadri, so there is that. They are a stacked team that has done nothing when he was not there.

Could it be as simple as they match up poorly against Dallas and did not play against them during their cup run? And have gotten beat by them the last few years.

Mixed with losing a really good 2nd line center. And despite this they are still one of the favorites to win the cup each year.

I honestly think if they beat Dallas last year or the year before they are in the cup finals.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

Could it be as simple as they match up poorly against Dallas and did not play against them during their cup run? And have gotten beat by them the last few years.

Mixed with losing a really good 2nd line center. And despite this they are still one of the favorites to win the cup each year.

I honestly think if they beat Dallas last year or the year before they are in the cup finals.

Well they lost to the Kraken too so they might not match up well against them too.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

Could it be as simple as they match up poorly against Dallas and did not play against them during their cup run? And have gotten beat by them the last few years.

Mixed with losing a really good 2nd line center. And despite this they are still one of the favorites to win the cup each year.

I honestly think if they beat Dallas last year or the year before they are in the cup finals.

Or it could be as simple as in the playoffs any team can beat any other team in a 7 game series.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Goriders

You’d have to trade him to a bottom feeder to get a top 5 or 10 pick. I would assume we’d be trading vets to contenders in the top 10 in the league. So 20 to 32 in the draft ranking.

Our pick is going to be the best one that we have. Potentially first overall.

That’s exactly my thoughts too

[Flamesfan05]

Kadri and Coleman should go if the Flames get some good value for them

Considering the recent signings, they are on relative cheap contracts and should be movable if Conroy knows what he is doing

[dammage79]

I don't know how things will shake down. When will Kadri finally be like "aight, we aren't going anywhere, trade me"

When will Conroy finally bit the bullet on Andersson.

Will he gut the team deeper than that? Personally I doubt it. Feels like a Kadri trade right now seems a bit lucky for the Flames if one materializes seeing as the need for a productive center is heavily in seller's market.

Honestly it looks like this year that Huska can't Mish Mash the parts of this team together like he did last year. Maybe Conroy makes trades to shake the personnel up and try to find some chemistry.

[1qqaaz]

Props to Kadri for playing well to keep the trade value up.

His performance and production are quite impressive considering his surrounding teamplay. Pro scouts have to be pretty impressed.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Flames can trade basically any two contracts without retention or taking salary back, and still be above the cap floor, so theoretically, they could trade-out many of the vets.

However, I am definitely not advocating this in the slightest - far from it, actually.

This is how I see the 'vets':

Certainty of staying:
Backlund - he has re-signed to retire a Flame, and break the record for most games played as a Flame.
Huberdeau - Heavy negative value asset right now unless the Flames retain significantly - but given the number of years, that's a non-starter.

Certainty of leaving this season:
Andersson - upcoming UFA. He is moving for sure I would think.

More vague, but likely to be moved:
Kadri - There is a market now.
Coleman - I 100% agree and would love to keep Coleman as I value his leadership on this team more than most on this forum. I think, however, his return will surprise people.
Hanley - he isn't really mentioned as part of the leadership group, but he is an older player, and if he can be traded for a 6th or 7th round pick, then I would think there is a chance he goes.

Unlikely moving this season or in the near future:
Weegar - long term deal, and the Flames are already thin on defence.
Lomberg - a bit of a rich contract, and generally not a guy teams bring in for a cup run, but he is a guy that teams want for a rebuild to help protect the kids and help keep things positive.

That's how I see it. I would love to keep Coleman, but Coleman may not want to stay either. I am worried that Weegar will not be willing to stay either. It doesn't mean I want to see them traded, but rather that they may force a trade-out as I am sure they would rather play for a contender.


If the worst ends up happening and all the vets ask to be moved, I am sure that Conroy can find ways to stay above the cap floor. Once again - not my preference, but rather my worry.

This is how I see it as well, but I really think they should trade Weegar while his value is high. He is their highest value asset of all the vets and could bring back something decent. Go out and sign/overpay a vet D if that's your reason for keeping him around.

[TheScorpion]

I don't think Hanley should move this year, he's signed through 27 and they need the lefties. I could see Bean moving though.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

The two assets that have a chance to bring a A- type prospect would be Kadri and Weegar IMO. That’s why you trade Weegar

By the time we are competing he will be old and more then likely not as good

This is where I think the Flames need to make a hard decision and commit to the rebuild fully

Late 1sts are fine and all , but the odds of them being impact players is very low .

By trading Weegar you can go for a top prospect AND increase the odds of improving your most valuable asset going forward - your own 1st round pick

Getting caught up on an interesting topic of discussion.

To me, the above is a dangerous way of thinking. ‘By the time we are competitive’ is a hope, a best guess. The Flames can’t control that. All they can do is make the best decisions they can with the information they have in the moment.

I side with JR. culture is important and successful organizations, whether they’re professional spots teams or otherwise, understand this.

I’ll go out on a limb and say you would be hard pressed to find many championship winning teams/players over the past century, in any sport, who would say culture doesn’t matter much.

Why do you think a guy like Steve Yzerman would sign a guy like Ben Charrot for a team like the Detroit Red Wings? If the Flames did evacuate Andersson, Coleman, Kadri, Weegar you shouldn’t be surprised if the Flames end up trying to replace that veteran presence with expensive past their prime vets.

I’ll go out on another limb and say icing an army of 21 year olds will not lead to being a winning team.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Hackey

This is how I see it as well, but I really think they should trade Weegar while his value is high. He is their highest value asset of all the vets and could bring back something decent. Go out and sign/overpay a vet D if that's your reason for keeping him around.

I think it is a bit more nuanced than just plugging holes.

Trading Weegar and replacing his spot on the roster with an overpaid vet D, whomever that would be, is pretty shortsighted.

Weegar value to this team is more than filling the role of ‘veteran D’. It has been spoken about publicly that after Parekh’s first game last year Weegar pulled him aside a talked with him for 3 hours. That, to me, tells me Weegar is invested. That might not mean much to some, but I bet it does to a young player like Parekh and I’d also bet it hasn’t been the only time Weegar has had these types of interactions with Parekh.

Id bet Andersson is also mentoring Parekh. What would it say to Parekh if the Flames traded both?