2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[gvitaly]

No one claimed Tomasino

https://twitter.com/user/status/1991221019479081348

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

OK bad word again. Withdraw #2.

So call it whatever you want, but people reacting strongly (hope that word is ok) to click bait material to complain about the direction of a hockey team, while ignoring moves already made gets tiresome.

I'll be with you guys if Andersson is extended 8 years.
I'll be with you if Conroy comes out and says they aren't trading Coleman or Kadri because they think they'll be a huge part of this in 3 years.

But he's not.

And despite what people in Toronto are saying I doubt very much he will.

Okay you keep saying this but are ignoring the part where Steinberg and Francis have been very loud in local media about this too.

So what are your thoughts on that?

I have no doubt that they will inevitably move Coleman and Kadri - but not doing it this season would be a mistake and only being open to moving them if they ask for a trade is downright idiotic. The market for two 35+ year old players is not going to be better next year, and I can say that pretty confidently. The future value of 35+ year old hockey players is much more predictable and linear than that of the futures market.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by jmac98

I had thought I had read in recent weeks of reports that the organization had no interest in trading Kadri, as well as some minor rumblings of possibly extending Anderson. This is where I found the direction of the team to be confusing. Perhaps I misread or misremembered those reports or for all I know they were just fan contribution versus valid info. If so I apologize.

It's more that snippets of third hand info about, for example, what Murray Edwards supposedly said (that he loved Kadri and didn't want to trade him) gets twisted into a declaration that this is the intent of the team and it's not going to happen.

Edwards could have just been saying that he wishes they didn't have to trade him. "You're a great employee, I hate to see you go". or maybe he's just trying to prevent STHs that also love Kadri from walking away. I think more than culture or some unrealistic notion about POs, that ownership is interested in ticket sales.

[Calgary4LIfe]

What is Friedman in the business of?


1) Reporting on facts - people listen to Friedman, and usually for good reason as he is arguably the most league-wide connected pundit out there in terms of rumours, right?
2) Speculating - He often speculates. Was this reporting on a fact, or was it himself speculating on what the Flames might be thinking?


Sounded much more like speculating, and it is causing a reaction, and a lot of clicks. That's good for Friedman, and probably good for this site too!


Flames haven't shown anything other than an intent to rebuild. They are just being so funny about it publicly, that is seems to be driving some people a little nuts. Some people really need to hear the: "We are entering into a rebuild."


There are always two sides of every argument. Maybe if Conroy announces a rebuild, teams would start out-bidding each other? Sure, sometimes that actually does happen. Sometimes not. For an odd reason, I always remember in my head when a player is getting put on the market "The Smolinski Sweepstakes" - don't know why I always remember that. Anyway, what happened the last time that the Flames essentially announced that they were in a rebuild? Any good moves come out of that?


Maybe Conroy - who had a front-row seat to that experience - just saw all those high-end offers coming in, and he has simply decided to do what he wants to do and keeping the whole world guessing instead. I don't blame him. I mean, I definitely blame him for the arguments on forums as some people are convinced he is in a complete rebuild, and some people think the goal is to keep running it back.


In my opinion, Friedman is speculating here, and nothing else. Calgary hasn't announced a rebuild. Maybe - MAYBE- after the trade deadline if they have moved Andersson, Kadri and maybe Coleman (and/or whomever else) that Conroy will come out and say that the Flames have been rebuilding, but now they are in the process of building back up as the 'tear down' is complete. At this point that's the most i think he will say.


The most ironic thing in all of this is the notion that when Conroy took over, that there were some jokes about him talking so much and constantly revealing too much information, right? Now here we are arguing about what the direction of the team even is! I find that remarkable!


I personally see this as the team being in a rebuild, and I am positive that Andersson will be traded, and I strongly suspect that Kadri will move this season as well. I am iffy on Coleman, but that's perhaps my own bias as I feel his value may be higher internally to the organization than what teams are willing to give up for him.


I also think that there is a good chance that a winger or two also moves on by the trade deadline - it is a lot of bodies after all, but this is just more of a guess than me feeling as sure. Would simply make some sense to open up a couple of spots in the lineup, especially as Pospisil will likely be back at some point (I am hoping anyway - hopefully he is recovering well and that the Flames are just really taking their time in getting him back to full health here).


Flames are making this super interesting!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It's more that snippets of third hand info about, for example, what Murray Edwards supposedly said (that he loved Kadri and didn't want to trade him) gets twisted into a declaration that this is the intent of the team and it's not going to happen.

Edwards could have just been saying that he wishes they didn't have to trade him. "You're a great employee, I hate to see you go". or maybe he's just trying to prevent STHs that also love Kadri from walking away. I think more than culture or some unrealistic notion about POs, that ownership is interested in ticket sales.

Not to mention it all came out at the time of Kadri's 1000th game...like come on. Be smarter

[Johnny Makarov]

Holy crap this thread moves fast.

LOL these trade proposals for Rasmus is hilarious. He is worth a 2nd and 3rd rounder. He isn't top 4 on any contending team.

Unless Conroy does a gold chain in a parking lot con job like he did with Lindholm... we aren't getting anything close to a 1st.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

What is Friedman in the business of?


1) Reporting on facts - people listen to Friedman, and usually for good reason as he is arguably the most league-wide connected pundit out there in terms of rumours, right?
2) Speculating - He often speculates. Was this reporting on a fact, or was it himself speculating on what the Flames might be thinking?


Sounded much more like speculating, and it is causing a reaction, and a lot of clicks. That's good for Friedman, and probably good for this site too!


Flames haven't shown anything other than an intent to rebuild. They are just being so funny about it publicly, that is seems to be driving some people a little nuts. Some people really need to hear the: "We are entering into a rebuild."


There are always two sides of every argument. Maybe if Conroy announces a rebuild, teams would start out-bidding each other? Sure, sometimes that actually does happen. Sometimes not. For an odd reason, I always remember in my head when a player is getting put on the market "The Smolinski Sweepstakes" - don't know why I always remember that. Anyway, what happened the last time that the Flames essentially announced that they were in a rebuild? Any good moves come out of that?


Maybe Conroy - who had a front-row seat to that experience - just saw all those high-end offers coming in, and he has simply decided to do what he wants to do and keeping the whole world guessing instead. I don't blame him. I mean, I definitely blame him for the arguments on forums as some people are convinced he is in a complete rebuild, and some people think the goal is to keep running it back.


In my opinion, Friedman is speculating here, and nothing else. Calgary hasn't announced a rebuild. Maybe - MAYBE- after the trade deadline if they have moved Andersson, Kadri and maybe Coleman (and/or whomever else) that Conroy will come out and say that the Flames have been rebuilding, but now they are in the process of building back up as the 'tear down' is complete. At this point that's the most i think he will say.


The most ironic thing in all of this is the notion that when Conroy took over, that there were some jokes about him talking so much and constantly revealing too much information, right? Now here we are arguing about what the direction of the team even is! I find that remarkable!


I personally see this as the team being in a rebuild, and I am positive that Andersson will be traded, and I strongly suspect that Kadri will move this season as well. I am iffy on Coleman, but that's perhaps my own bias as I feel his value may be higher internally to the organization than what teams are willing to give up for him.


I also think that there is a good chance that a winger or two also moves on by the trade deadline - it is a lot of bodies after all, but this is just more of a guess than me feeling as sure. Would simply make some sense to open up a couple of spots in the lineup, especially as Pospisil will likely be back at some point (I am hoping anyway - hopefully he is recovering well and that the Flames are just really taking their time in getting him back to full health here).


Flames are making this super interesting!

Friedmans non-committal speculating drives me nuts.

"I do wonder if thats a thing the flames consider thinking about"

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Okay you keep saying this but are ignoring the part where Steinberg and Francis have been very loud in local media about this too.

So what are your thoughts on that?

I have no doubt that they will inevitably move Coleman and Kadri - but not doing it this season would be a mistake and only being open to moving them if they ask for a trade is downright idiotic. The market for two 35+ year old players is not going to be better next year, and I can say that pretty confidently. The future value of 35+ year old hockey players is much more predictable and linear than that of the futures market.

Specifically the "they have to approach us"?

I think it's an attempt to show respect to veteran players that chose to sign here. Make sure this isn't a "moving on" event and more of a "what's best for both sides" decision.

Fear of UFAs leaving and/or not signing here is a pretty understandable, so when a player chooses Calgary you don't want it to look (or feal) like they're no longer needed and treated like meat.

Just my view of the messaging.

[The EBUG's EBUG]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Specifically the "they have to approach us"?

I think it's an attempt to show respect to veteran players that chose to sign here. Make sure this isn't a "moving on" event and more of a "what's best for both sides" decision.

Fear of UFAs leaving and/or not signing here is a pretty understandable, so when a player chooses Calgary you don't want it to look (or feal) like they're no longer needed and treated like meat.

Just my view of the messaging.

Genuine question and I don't mean this as cutting at all and I appreciate it's a hypothetical anyways, but if Kadri and Coleman both come out and say "nope, my family likes it here, I know you have offers but I want to stay, don't care what's best for the team" do you feel as though the Flames need to and/or should to keep them?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Holy crap this thread moves fast.

LOL these trade proposals for Rasmus is hilarious. He is worth a 2nd and 3rd rounder. He isn't top 4 on any contending team.

Unless Conroy does a gold chain in a parking lot con job like he did with Lindholm... we aren't getting anything close to a 1st.

What is Carlo worth? Avatar bet right now Ras gets more than a 2nd and 3rd. He is getting a 1st unless there is a recent 1st caliber prospect attached.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by dino7c

What is Carlo worth? Avatar bet right now Ras gets more than a 2nd and 3rd

Lindholm was only worth a 2nd rounder and look what we got.... lol

Get that Oiler pylon off this team asap.

never forget! never forgiven!

I knew the Hawks were going to score pretty quickly after he did a staredown 3 mins into the 3rd. lol

[Geeoff]

Regardless, I do think the situation is that the Flames are not going to be good next season either. I guess the question is whether we use this as an opportunity to accrue a lot of assets or not.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by The EBUG's EBUG

Genuine question and I don't mean this as cutting at all and I appreciate it's a hypothetical anyways, but if Kadri and Coleman both come out and say "nope, my family likes it here, I know you have offers but I want to stay, don't care what's best for the team" do you feel as though the Flames need to and/or should to keep them?

Once again just my view ...

But I think they move them anyway.

However starting with the "working together on this" angle makes the player feel appreciated and honoured for his service and sets up a much better exit feel than going to media and saying "they have NTCs but there are 31 destinations and they're going if we say they're going".

I think fans get too caught up waiting for sound bytes that will never come. Read between the lines. What's not being said?

[stemit14]

I think the concern for many is waiting for the potential “bounce back” next year that ownership is hoping for. I think this team bouncing back next season is entirely possible but not beneficial to the longer term outlook of the team.

Reasons for bounce back potential:

1. If the flames got a potential game breaker at the top of the draft (eg. McKenna), that could be a boost to the team’s offensive potential. Adding a 60 point winger to this team would be a big improvement at this point.
2. I don’t think the current vets under contract (Huberdeau, Kadri, Coleman, Backlund, Weegar) will see a big drop in performance next year so they will likely perform close their norm.
3. The young players in the system (Coronato, Zary, Parekh, Wolf, Gridin, Klapka, etc.) will likely take steps to improve. Either in production or in the completeness of their games.
4. Not having a brutal start to the schedule next year could give the team a chance to gain some momentum under a fresh start.

All these things could lead to the team “bouncing back” to being a fringe playoff team like last year. Could miss or could squeak in. To be clear - I want this to be avoided. I would rather another “faceplant” year next season. In order to increase the chance of that happening, I think the management should trade Kadri and Coleman this year for picks and prospects. No prospect they get in the upcoming will be able to make up for the loss of those two players (along with Andersson being traded) next season as far as production and game influence.

The issue is that I think ownership likes the idea of the bounce back being possible and thinks it’s good for the team. I don’t think it is and the plan should be to avoid that scenario since the players keeping that bounce back possible are players that are likely not on the team in 3 -5 years (Kadri, Coleman, Backlund).

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Specifically the "they have to approach us"?

I think it's an attempt to show respect to veteran players that chose to sign here. Make sure this isn't a "moving on" event and more of a "what's best for both sides" decision.

Fear of UFAs leaving and/or not signing here is a pretty understandable, so when a player chooses Calgary you don't want it to look (or feal) like they're no longer needed and treated like meat.

Just my view of the messaging.

I think you can have that respect and try to do right by the player but still be more pro-active in shopping them and without having to wait until the player approaches you about being open / wanting to be moved.

I also think the whole players not wanting to play here thing is overblown. A winning team is where players want to play. The new arena will also help.

In the salary cap era the Flames have had absolutely no issue attracting UFAs wanting to play here when trying to contend. This whole PTSD after Gaudreau and Tkachuk left is mostly manufactured concern.

They made bad management decisions (and some bad timing due to COVID) that led to Gaudreau and Tkachuk walking, that had nothing to do with the city really.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

- I think some of what we are hearing in the media is a largely incomplete story, including because these things are put out there as sound bites, and lack a lot of context.

Quoted to highlight this point. People shouldn't believe everything they hear. Half the time rumours are made up just to get attention. Sports media is mostly an entertainment business. The other half of the time, they are only leaking information that the organization wants leaked, which isn't necessarily a service for fans but just posturing.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I don't buy the bounce-back narrative at all.


How many people here really believe that the Flames are going to do well next season even if they draft McKenna (or insert your own personal desired #1 pick)?


Look at how Conroy has built this roster thus far. This was never a roster that was supposed to compete (neither was last season's either, but they played gutsy hockey). I will believe that the Flames are hoping for a bounce-back season when they spend to the cap again, and maybe trade some futures for win-now players. Otherwise, I am expecting that this team is bottoming-out still, and we will see season-by-season how they improve internally first.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think you can have that respect and try to do right by the player but still be more pro-active in shopping them and without having to wait until the player approaches you about being open / wanting to be moved.

I also think the whole players not wanting to play here thing is overblown. A winning team is where players want to play. The new arena will also help.

In the salary cap era the Flames have had absolutely no issue attracting UFAs wanting to play here when trying to contend. This whole PTSD after Gaudreau and Tkachuk left is mostly manufactured concern.

They made bad management decisions (and some bad timing due to COVID) that led to Gaudreau and Tkachuk walking, that had nothing to do with the city really.

Right but I don't believe that's what they are doing.

I think they are being proactive.
I don't think they are waiting for the players to come to them.

But the public sound bytes are laid out to respect the player.

It's like the duck on a pond with the feet working below the water horizon.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I think the concern for many is waiting for the potential “bounce back” next year that ownership is hoping for. I think this team bouncing back next season is entirely possible but not beneficial to the longer term outlook of the team.

Reasons for bounce back potential:

1. If the flames got a potential game breaker at the top of the draft (eg. McKenna), that could be a boost to the team’s offensive potential. Adding a 60 point winger to this team would be a big improvement at this point.
2. I don’t think the current vets under contract (Huberdeau, Kadri, Coleman, Backlund, Weegar) will see a big drop in performance next year so they will likely perform close their norm.
3. The young players in the system (Coronato, Zary, Parekh, Wolf, Gridin, Klapka, etc.) will likely take steps to improve. Either in production or in the completeness of their games.
4. Not having a brutal start to the schedule next year could give the team a chance to gain some momentum under a fresh start.

All these things could lead to the team “bouncing back” to being a fringe playoff team like last year. Could miss or could squeak in. To be clear - I want this to be avoided. I would rather another “faceplant” year next season. In order to increase the chance of that happening, I think the management should trade Kadri and Coleman this year for picks and prospects. No prospect they get in the upcoming will be able to make up for the loss of those two players (along with Andersson being traded) next season as far as production and game influence.

The issue is that I think ownership likes the idea of the bounce back being possible and thinks it’s good for the team. I don’t think it is and the plan should be to avoid that scenario since the players keeping that bounce back possible are players that are likely not on the team in 3 -5 years (Kadri, Coleman, Backlund).

There is no chance, not one that I can imagine, that ownership legitimately expects to “bounce back” and be competitive again next season. He’s not that dumb.

Regardless of what’s reported.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I'll be honest, if I wasn't hearing differently from someone I know for certain is getting real information I would be equally worried.

They could really give it a rest with the deluge of BS. Maybe it's just confirmation bias because I already didn't like Nonis- but it seems like since hiring Nonis they've turned the dial on leaks and BS to the media to overdrive.