2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Historically, I believe, teams that win most often do so in the early years of their upswing (when their highest performing players are on ELCs or lower second contracts and can be complimented with more naturally expensive veterans). Those teams are also the most likely to repeat.

If they don’t, they face a retool (sometimes significant) to re-open the window. You have one-offs that buck the trend (usually thanks to generational players + stellar goaltending) but it’s less common.

Montreal is probably has this year and next to legitimately contend before they face at least a small retool, turning over 30-40% of the roster. The core is set, but with Hutson and Demidov increases coming over the next two years it makes a ton of sense for them to push the chips in this year and try to become legitimate contenders.

A trend that was a trend from 2008 to 2015? How about the last decade? Teams like Colorado, Tampa, Florida who drafted their core, wrapped their core up and continued to draft and trade for young assets and win championships when that core hits their mid to late 20s.

Monteal has Demidov that will get a big raise and with a rising cap that contract could be more than $11 mil. But as the cap rises so does the value of everyone else in that core's contract.

Including this year, the following contracts have:

Suzuki - 5 years
Slafkovsky - 6 years
Caufield - 6 years
Dobson - 7 years
Hutson - 9 years

The following are off the books before Demidov contract is up:

Laine - $8.7M
Anderson - $5.5M
Gallagher - $6.5M

I also see Dach not getting a QO. Maybe he comes back but it will be for less money and he makes $3.3M

Over 20M of non-contributors coming off the books with only Demidov with a big raise. Kadri is a great add for this year, but if that move fails his contract eats up the rest of Suzuki's prime time contract years. Not worth the risk when there could be a better fit and their prime-time window IMO in a year or 2 from now.

[Vinny01]

Teams typically compete for cups roughly 10 years after their stars were drafted in the cap era. Pittsburgh and Chicago winning in 9 and 10 is a bit of an outlier. Chicago had a strong core around Toews and Kane so they won their next 2 cups 6 and 8 years after Kane. The next 2 cups for the pens came 11-12 years after Crosby. Caps got theirs 14 years after Ovie. The kings won their first 9 years after Brown/Richards/Carter and their second 9 years after Kopitar. The avs won 9 years after MacKinnon. The lightning won 11 years after Hedmen and 9-10 years after Kucherov. Panthers won 11 years after Barkov and 10 years after Ekblad/Bennett/Reinhart. Oilers made the finals 10 years after Drai and 9 after McDavid.

If we are hoping for flames contender we should be targeting a mid 30’s cup run.

Those teams had some runs before their final but it shows typically those late 20’s are the years these teams are pushing.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Saw this blog about them chasing Andersson. The author says the Panthers 27 1st and Lohrei as the return. Obviously just fan speculation but they do consider 1 of the 4 1sts they have in the next 2 drafts.

https://causewaycrowd.com/bruins-sea...ndersson-trade

Lohrei and a 1st would be a great return for Rasmus.

Not sure I see them trading him though since he's playing top four and .5 ppg

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by traptor

Lohrei and a 1st would be a great return for Rasmus.

Not sure I see them trading him though since he's playing top four and .5 ppg

The contract will dictate that the Flames trade Andersson. If he’s playing well, all the better for the Flames.

Last reports/rumours I’ve heard are the two sides are not close. It may take til Feb or March but I bet he will be traded.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by TOfan

The contract will dictate that the Flames trade Andersson. If he’s playing well, all the better for the Flames.

Last reports/rumours I’ve heard are the two sides are not close. It may take til Feb or March but I bet he will be traded.

Think he means Lohrei

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Teams typically compete for cups roughly 10 years after their stars were drafted in the cap era. Pittsburgh and Chicago winning in 9 and 10 is a bit of an outlier. Chicago had a strong core around Toews and Kane so they won their next 2 cups 6 and 8 years after Kane. The next 2 cups for the pens came 11-12 years after Crosby. Caps got theirs 14 years after Ovie. The kings won their first 9 years after Brown/Richards/Carter and their second 9 years after Kopitar. The avs won 9 years after MacKinnon. The lightning won 11 years after Hedmen and 9-10 years after Kucherov. Panthers won 11 years after Barkov and 10 years after Ekblad/Bennett/Reinhart. Oilers made the finals 10 years after Drai and 9 after McDavid.

If we are hoping for flames contender we should be targeting a mid 30’s cup run.

Those teams had some runs before their final but it shows typically those late 20’s are the years these teams are pushing.

Agreed and Montreal is not winning with 19-year-old Demidov as a key player. Slaf and Hutson are 21 as well. Their window starts now IMO but prime years for them will be 1-2 years from now. Kadri is a good fit if the Flames RS. Huge risk that he hurts them when they have the best chance to win at $7M a year.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by TOfan

The contract will dictate that the Flames trade Andersson. If he’s playing well, all the better for the Flames.

Last reports/rumours I’ve heard are the two sides are not close. It may take til Feb or March but I bet he will be traded.

Sorry, I meant Boston won't want to trade Lohrei

But yeah, it feels like Rasmus will go close to the deadline if it happens and I still think it's more likely to then not.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Saw this blog about them chasing Andersson. The author says the Panthers 27 1st and Lohrei as the return. Obviously just fan speculation but they do consider 1 of the 4 1sts they have in the next 2 drafts.

https://causewaycrowd.com/bruins-sea...ndersson-trade

That seems like an amazing return for a rental Ras!

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

The problem with your analysis is that Draisaitl had 77 points, but that was good for 8th the NHL in points. 77 points last year was outside the top 30. Scoring has elevated and because of this a 77-point Demidov is not get 11.33% of the cap.

I agree that Kadri helps the habs more in the next 3 years than Hage does, but will Kadri be the only player available and can you get someone else or Kadri and keep Hage.

Montreal also could make that big move next year, even with Kadri I doubt they win the cup or become the top teams in the East.

Kadri's age also puts them in a spot if they start to truly contend even next year and Kadri declines, would it have been better to wait until the summer or next year for a better fit than Kadri.

If I'm Conroy, I'm ok to make a move and let them keep Hage.

That is fine, have to see where Demidov is next year. In Draisaitl’s second year he was tied for 82nd in scoring. Demidov is currently tied for 74th. Have to see where he is next year but I would feel confident in saying any contract he signs with term will be for between 10-13 million dollars a year.

[traptor]

The thing with Kadri to the Habs is that they can still field one of the more competitive offers without Hage.

Zharovsky, Kapanen, Engstrom and Beck would all be of interest to the Flames.

The Flames M.O has been to get roster players back.
Would all still be very competitive offers without them having to give up Hage:

Kapanen + Engstrom + 1st
Dach + Zharovsky + 1st

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

That is fine, have to see where Demidov is next year. In Draisaitl’s second year he was tied for 82nd in scoring. Demidov is currently tied for 74th. Have to see where he is next year but I would feel confident in saying any contract he signs with term will be for between 10-13 million dollars a year.

But if next year he is top 8 in the NHL in points, the window will be wide open for years even if he makes $12M+

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by traptor

The thing with Kadri to the Habs is that they can still field one of the more competitive offers without Hage.

Zharovsky, Kapanen, Engstrom and Beck would all be of interest to the Flames.

The Flames M.O has been to get roster players back.
Would all still be very competitive offers without them having to give up Hage:

Kapanen + Engstrom + 1st
Dach + Zharovsky + 1st

Roster spots and cap matter. They need a 2nd line center, Kadri would be a huge addition too. But could someone else could become available and be a better fit. Why blow assets and then a better option is available, and you now have Kadri with less assets and adding another C doesn't make sense to push Kadri down to the 3rd line.

RS with Kadri, Montreal should consider than. Flames probably won't do it though.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Roster spots and cap matter. They need a 2nd line center, Kadri would be a huge addition too. But could someone else could become available and be a better fit. Why blow assets and then a better option is available, and you now have Kadri with less assets and adding another C doesn't make sense to push Kadri down to the 3rd line.

RS with Kadri, Montreal should consider than. Flames probably won't do it though.

Well the best UFAs centers available in 2026 are Kevin Hayes, Malkin, Nick schmaltz and Anders Lee. Kadri is either better or cheaper or both than what any of those guys will likely sign for. So if they don’t get Kadri they can’t look for a UFA that is better. Suppose it is possible that a better option is available via trade but that would cost more assets presumably than the interior option of Kadri. Overall Kadri is the best second line center option that is available.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

A trend that was a trend from 2008 to 2015? How about the last decade? Teams like Colorado, Tampa, Florida who drafted their core, wrapped their core up and continued to draft and trade for young assets and win championships when that core hits their mid to late 20s.

Great examples, as all three had to retool after their initial rebuild in order to win, including trading away top players and players who were formerly top picks to get them over the hump while bringing in good vets.

Colorado might be an example of a one-off. Their cup win is also the only time they’ve been past the second round since they drafted MacKinnon.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by traptor

Sorry, I meant Boston won't want to trade Lohrei

But yeah, it feels like Rasmus will go close to the deadline if it happens and I still think it's more likely to then not.

I'm not as knowledgable as some here but what about a 1st and Poitras?

[Ped]

Originally Posted by traptor

Lohrei and a 1st would be a great return for Rasmus.

Not sure I see them trading him though since he's playing top four and .5 ppg

Actually Lohrei is 6th on the Bruins blueline in icetime (behind McAvoy, Zadorov, Lindholm, Peeke, and Jokiharju) and has been healthy-scratched a few times due to terrible defensive play.


Even strength he is 5th, slightly ahead of Jokiharju.

[traptor]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

Roster spots and cap matter. They need a 2nd line center, Kadri would be a huge addition too. But could someone else could become available and be a better fit. Why blow assets and then a better option is available, and you now have Kadri with less assets and adding another C doesn't make sense to push Kadri down to the 3rd line.

RS with Kadri, Montreal should consider than. Flames probably won't do it though.

Yeah my first thought is to agree.
but to play devils advocate, prime aged top 6 centers rarely get traded for futures and the talent pool is pretty watered down. If they do it's usually because they have pretty big warts.

Cozens is the most recent, but I don't think he's a bonifide no questions asked #2 center yet.

There was the trade that included Miller and Chytil. Attitude issues with JT miller and injury concern with Chytil.

Before that in 2024 it was PLD for Keumper. PLD obviously has big warts.

30 year old Hertl got traded for a big package, summer 2024.

We traded UFA Lindholm for that big package.

Newhook got a 1st + 2nd.

Like there's not alot of amazing value there.



The Habs and other teams can wait for a prime aged center but they'll need to be patient, they might miss out and whoever they get is probably expensive with some baggage.


Horvat went 4 seasons ago as a 26 year old no questions asked 2nd line center. 1st + Good prospect + middle 6 youngish roster player.
That's probably the type of deal the Habs would like to make but it doesn't happen often.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by traptor

Yeah my first thought is to agree.
but to play devils advocate, prime aged top 6 centers rarely get traded for futures and the talent pool is pretty watered down. If they do it's usually because they have pretty big warts.

Cozens is the most recent, but I don't think he's a bonifide no questions asked #2 center yet.

There was the trade that included Miller and Chytil. Attitude issues with JT miller and injury concern with Chytil.

Before that in 2024 it was PLD for Keumper. PLD obviously has big warts.

30 year old Hertl got traded for a big package, summer 2024.

We traded UFA Lindholm for that big package.

Newhook got a 1st + 2nd.

Like there's not alot of amazing value there.



The Habs and other teams can wait for a prime aged center but they'll need to be patient, they might miss out and whoever they get is probably expensive with some baggage.


Horvat went 4 seasons ago as a 26 year old no questions asked 2nd line center. 1st + Good prospect + middle 6 youngish roster player.
That's probably the type of deal the Habs would like to make but it doesn't happen often.

If you look at Florida, they capitalized on RFA contract issues and prospects that fell out of favour.

Bennett, Tkachuk and Reinhart all were moved due to contract situations or lack of ice. Montreal should wait for this or target low-cost young players that could pop vs 35-year-old Kadri.

Tage Thompson is a player that could be available in the next 1-2 years. Rob Thomas also was rumored to maybe be available. I'm waiting for players like this, while I wait, I'm looking for buy low players.

Rossi and MacTavish also were rumored to be on the move. Cole Sillinger could be a good add.

They could pay less for Zary or Frost too.

Kadri with salary retained, Montreal should consider it. If not, move along for something better or cheaper.

[D as in David]

If the Canadiens have cap trouble in the final year of Kadri's deal, could the Flames take him back along with the Canadiens' first-rounder? Is there precedent for that kind of trade?