2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Toffoli asked for a trade. And there was zero chance Markstrom was coming back to this situation, sure seems like he asked for a trade as well.

He asked for a trade when the Flames wouldn't go the term distance he wanted.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bonded

People put way too much stock into media hits. They probably are listening to offers but even with limited NTCs they could make a trade hard. Most of the teams that are interested in Kadri and Coleman probably see themselves as contenders and don’t need to add them in now.

Also, there really isn’t much benefit to the Flames announcing publicly that Kadri and Coleman are in play. I don’t think GMs care about the media but it is better to put out a scarcity message if they do

I also don't think announcing this would benefit the team in any way though.

How does saying the team will only trade Kadri and Coleman if they ask for a trade benefit the Flames.

Wouldn't that actually undercut their position in the sense that teams now think you're only moving them becasue they demanded a trade.

To me nothing with the noise is a coincidence and it's all strategic leaks, but in this case I think it's meant to try to calm down the noise from the fan base.

10 days ago there was lots of discussion around a rebuild (started by Francis article), talk about moving Kadri after game 1000, and a bunch of other rumours about the Flames actually embracing a tank.

Now today, the day after game 1000, there is a very strategically released statement through Dreger about how Edwards does not want to trade Kadri.

And then Steinberg spent most of the 5 o'clock hour talking about how the Flames haven't given up on the season, aren't going to lean into a tank, are waiting until at least game 25 to make any decisions, and likely won't trade Kadri or Coleman unless they ask to be traded regardless.

I don't think any of this was to signal to other GMs, I think it's 100% trying to poor a bucket of cold water on the loud part of the fanbase pushing for more proactive moves here.

[traptor]

I agree that constant negativitity is exhausting but I think a little pessimism with this team is warranted.

Robert Munich had that tweet I saw in the gamethread about how we've made it past game 5 of the second round once in the last 35 years, which most of us are painfully aware of.

They've never had a top 3 pick and have outwardly scoffed idea of rebuilding ("we can't say that word").


Their highest pick in history was handled questionably, was traded for peanuts and is now a multiple cup conn scythe winning center.


Its not like this organization has done alot to inspire blind faith.


Give us something to cheer for!

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by traptor

I agree that constant negativitity is exhausting but I think a little pessimism with this team is warranted.

Robert Munich had that tweet I saw in the gamethread about how we've made it past game 5 of the second round once in the last 35 years, which most of us are painfully aware of.

They've never had a top 3 pick and have outwardly scoffed idea of rebuilding ("we can't say that word").


Their highest pick in history was handled questionably, was traded for peanuts and is now a multiple cup conn scythe winning center.


Its not like this organization has done alot to inspire blind faith.


Give us something to cheer for!

This was the tweet

"Since 1990, the Calgary #Flames have made it past game 5 of the 2nd round once.

One time in 35 years.

This is why Flames fans are pissed off with this organization sticking to the status quo when it comes to team building.

It's time to try a different strategy."

Frankly it's a trash tweet.
We are all aware of these things. You can choose to carry that baggage around and into every debate, but I don't see the relevance of most of things that happened 20 years ago, or 25 years ago.

Moreover many believe this organization is doing things differently based on the moves they've made and not made so far. I guess that's up to each person to decide how true that is or not.

But saying this is "status quo" seems to be ignoring a lot and just hyperbolic complaining absent real facts.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

As for the NTC, a team and a player can't simply change the contact signed. If Kadri had a NTC this year, then all he could do is waive it. They couldn't change it to a 13 team limited-no-trade. This means that his contract had a 13 team list all along.

Where did this idea come from?

If both aides agree, they can change the contract however they like. Changes and amendments are common.

Weird thing to say. No one is suggesting it was unilateral.

[SuperMatt18]

Is it that unfair?

Sure 35 years is a bit unfair, but let's use the salary cap era instead - which is now 21 seasons.

They've been out of the first round twice, never made it past game 5 of the second round in that time.

Edwards has been the lead owner for most of that time. When news breaks that the Owner is saying he doesn't want to trade veteran players, then I think it's fair to question the overall strategy of the org that has failed to work for 20 seasons.

[SutterBrother]

Ownership is the consistent factor over the past 21 seasons.

Don't ignore what comes from the top. "Just get in".

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Is it that unfair?

Sure 35 years is a bit unfair, but let's use the salary cap era instead - which is now 21 seasons.

They've been out of the first round twice, never made it past game 5 of the second round in that time.

Edwards has been the lead owner for most of that time. When news breaks that the Owner is saying he doesn't want to trade veteran players, then I think it's fair to question the overall strategy of the org that has failed to work for 20 seasons.

I don't think the 35 years thing is unfair, illogical in this discussion, but not unfair.

It's the suggestion that there hasn't been any change in strategy that is unfair.

[Matty81]

I think anyone thinking murray is saying this stuff to media as a decoy or negotiating ploy to get better trade values is wildly optimistic. I think we should brace for another pointless good stretch and a terrible draft pick again.

Edwards from the outside just doesn't seem to be able to appraise his own teams honestly talent wise and accept that these teams have zero chance of winning cups. Or is terrified to lose some ticket revenue over a couple years And is just fine with finishing 16th-20th

the year where toffoli and lindy were traded was a huge anomaly and forced on them. There's a long track record of failing to move veterans in a timely manner for value. I think the only hope this year is that they are historically bad and kadri and coleman being traded becomes more of a viable option because they couldn't be any worse

[ForeverFlameFan]

It was Kadri's 1000th game. I wouldn't be reading much into it. Ultimately, it will be up to Kadri if he wants to be traded. He has earned that right, but he also has an NTC, which means when signing the contract he made it possible for himself to be traded if it deemed fit. And I don't see Conroy *not* considering offers if the offers are there. I think he will need to be blown away with an offer for him to deal Kadri though. We have no center right now that can take Kadri's place as the 1C, so there's no harm in dealing him either. The main TDL targets focused will be Andersson and possibly Coleman. If a deal comes for Kadri, then great. It doesn't change that Conroy has done a relatively good job at the helm in dealing players for assets.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

This was the tweet

"Since 1990, the Calgary #Flames have made it past game 5 of the 2nd round once.

One time in 35 years.

This is why Flames fans are pissed off with this organization sticking to the status quo when it comes to team building.

It's time to try a different strategy."

Frankly it's a trash tweet.
We are all aware of these things. You can choose to carry that baggage around and into every debate, but I don't see the relevance of most of things that happened 20 years ago, or 25 years ago.

Moreover many believe this organization is doing things differently based on the moves they've made and not made so far. I guess that's up to each person to decide how true that is or not.

But saying this is "status quo" seems to be ignoring a lot and just hyperbolic complaining absent real facts.

I didn’t comment on the rest of the tweet or argue whether the organization is or isn’t doing things differently right now. I was simply referencing the fact that the Flames have only made it past the second round once in 35 years. That’s not an opinion, it’s their track record, which understandably doesn't inspire a blind confidence in all fans (although there are obviously some...).

Why can’t we use the last 35 years as context? If we narrow it down to the last 3 years, we’d just be told the sample size is too small and to be patient.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by traptor

I didnt say anything about the rest of the twee and specifically what you are arguing. Just referncing the fact of only making it past the second round once over 35 years.

I get the argument that we can't hold the active GM responsible for acts in the past, however I'm agreeing with it less and less.

GM's are supposed to be architects. If they're getting their jobs by selling what their actions are "oh we can compete without bottoming out - we just need <insert whatever unobtainable component(s) we're missing at that time>" then yeah they're at the bare minimum accountable for their short sightedness. Part of their job is properly assessing the foundation of the team and what it needs, and if they can't do that correctly then they're not going to build anything close to the stable level of successful competition that we, as fans of one of it not the least successful organizations in the league are clamouring for. Properly identifying the problem is first step.

Treliving tried to fix it through deficit spending.

Conroy seems to be trying to do it through low % picks.

Neither is a banger strategy.

I'd love to see a GM focus on "Yes, we need to bottom out - but the true test of metal is how I react after we bottom out. It's on me to dig us out of the swamp, after I put us there - and here's my plan".

That being said, we are bottoming out currently - and if what Conroy and the organization has said publicly is truly just lip service, and this is the plan - and they do trade at minimum two of Andersson, Coleman, and Kadri this season for futures, then my faith in Conroy, and more specifically the organization, will climb a very notable degree.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Flames will, I’m sure, listen to all offers on Kadri and Coleman. But the thing is, they don’t need to trade them this season. There’s plenty of time to trade them. They can easily finish last and get a great pick with them on the team, then trade them next year and repeat the process. The only risk is a dip in production and to my eye Coleman is having a better year than last year (Kadri is the same)/

Isn't that exactly the same thing that was said about Andersson? Then despite the appetite to trade him in the offseason they couldn't get the return they wanted. I understand the sentiment that you don't have to trade players in a bad deal. At the same time, I also don't know what's being offered. That said I doubt Kadri, or Coleman would be worth more next year, due to their age, and an even shorter term.

At the end of the day it isn't such a big deal, but better trade returns could result in the rebuild ending quicker, as well as having a better team, and a better chance to win the Stanley Cup.

[Burning Beard]

Sometimes when I log on here I think that the flames could trade Kadri, Huberdeau, Andersson, Coleman, Backlund and Weegar and things would just shift to Lomberg needs to go for it to be a "true" tank. I don't know if it can ever be torn down fast enough for some .

They are still a last place team this morning. Andersson is as good as gone. If they decide to keep Kadri because he gives a s### that isn't going to have me that upset. I read so much "patience needed for a rebuild" and it seems like people aren't listening to their own gospel. Who the hell is even trading for Kadri on November 7th? Is this suddenly a pinch point because fans are impatient?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I think anyone thinking murray is saying this stuff to media as a decoy or negotiating ploy to get better trade values is wildly optimistic. I think we should brace for another pointless good stretch and a terrible draft pick again.

Edwards from the outside just doesn't seem to be able to appraise his own teams honestly talent wise and accept that these teams have zero chance of winning cups. Or is terrified to lose some ticket revenue over a couple years And is just fine with finishing 16th-20th

the year where toffoli and lindy were traded was a huge anomaly and forced on them. There's a long track record of failing to move veterans in a timely manner for value. I think the only hope this year is that they are historically bad and kadri and coleman being traded becomes more of a viable option because they couldn't be any worse

I’ll choose wild optimism over abject pessimism 10/10 times, thanks.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Flames will, I’m sure, listen to all offers on Kadri and Coleman. But the thing is, they don’t need to trade them this season. There’s plenty of time to trade them. They can easily finish last and get a great pick with them on the team, then trade them next year and repeat the process. The only risk is a dip in production and to my eye Coleman is having a better year than last year (Kadri is the same)/

What's the benefit in not trading them this season?

Benefits of if they do trade them:

- Greatly increase the value of their own 1st round pick this season
- Gain returns from the trades to come into the organization alongside the improved value of that 1st round pick

Benefits of not trading them this season:

- Gives them a shot at a short term, unlikely goal of making the playoffs this season

Risks of not trading them this season:

- Father Time is against both players, and they're both performing great now but that risk is real and could detract from their value in a notable fashion
- Decreases the value of their own 1st round pick in 2026, as this team is undeniably better with Kadri and Coleman on the roster

[Scroopy Noopers]

^ saying playoffs is the only benefit to keeping seasoned veterans around is quite the spin.

How about introducing our boatloads of rookies into the league and mentoring them? Showing them what it takes to be a pro at that level, every day.

This is annoying because they will obviously move the veterans we are talking about for future assets. but saying that’s the only positive is just unnecessary and inaccurate.

[Vinny01]

In my opinion Kadri’s age is the biggest factor as to why he needs to be moved. He is already 35. If he was 30 like Gio was at the time of the Flames rebuild post Iginla where he could still be part of the team when they are competing.

The Flames are a ways a way from being a contender and Kadri is 35. Listen to Frank and other online insiders he carries a ton of value on the trade market. The Flames have some drafted pieces that will help them down the line and are fairly stuck with Huberdeau so they need to capitalize on getting value for Kadri to turn things around quicker.

It is fair for fans to get concerned when the report like Dreger’s comes out because ownership has always been viewed negatively by fans in this market for the most part. Almost every mention of our owners is largely negative with a lot of the focus being team building which has been as mediocre as it can possibly be over the past several decades.

It is super possible the Flames play themselves back into a crappy spot where they are not at the bottom and are back in the bottom half of the mushy middle. Discussing a poor start sunk them and they are a better team. For that concern I am actually hoping they continue to lose so they have no choice but to embrace this lost season and try and be more proactive for the future.

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I’ll choose wild optimism over abject pessimism 10/10 times, thanks.

I’m wildly optimistic about the Tank!

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by traptor

I didn’t comment on the rest of the tweet or argue whether the organization is or isn’t doing things differently right now. I was simply referencing the fact that the Flames have only made it past the second round once in 35 years. That’s not an opinion, it’s their track record, which understandably doesn't inspire a blind confidence in all fans (although there are obviously some...).

Why can’t we use the last 35 years as context? If we narrow it down to the last 3 years, we’d just be told the sample size is too small and to be patient.

They certainly haven't earned blind confidence, but the 35 year thing doesn't offer much real context unless one believes they've been doing all the same things for that long.
It's just a lazy way to approach the conversation and becomes this blanket statement to criticize the team, including the current management.