2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

I recall CP being like this the last time the Flames faced a rebiggle. The discussion back then centered around why the Flames waited so long to trade Iginla. Most of CP saw the writing on the wall - Iginla and the rest of the roster were getting older, slower, and were playing some of the most boring unwatchable hockey. Yet the Flames seemed to drag their feet and made decisions that kept the roster in the mushy middle for a number of years.
The future was bolstered by mushy-middle draft picks like Tim Erickson, Greg Nemisz, Mark Jankowski, and Sven Baertschi.

There wasn't any real excitement for the future until the Flames bottomed out and started drafting near the top with Bennett, Monahan, and Tkachuk. That's when CP became really interesting and a fun place to be.

Unfortunately I see the Flames doing the same things again. They're afraid to make to make hard decisions that truly benefit the future and immediately inject some potential super Star talent on the roster. So once again the Flames trot out the old ways of thinking - we can't trade him, he has a NMC, we need to keep the culture in the room, we need an offer that really blows our socks off, we don't use the "R" word, there are other ways to build a roster that doesn't rely on bottoming out, yadda yadda yadda.
Meanwhile, here are Zary, Peltier, Honzek, Coronato, and Reschney instead of any legitimate chance at Bedard, Celibrini, Schaefer, and likely McKenna.

Worst of all imo, you don't need 5 GMs to do that work and certainly not the same crew keeping you in the mushy middle.

Fire Maloney and the rest, give CC complete control, trade everyone over 26 for *reasonable* returns instead of holding out for the best possible deals, and bottom the eff out right bloody now. Avoid this slow inevitable death nonsense and bottom out now.

Well said sir....well said

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

The best time for these trades was weeks and weeks ago, if possible. I fear we missed our chance.

You have no idea what the market is, you just have your anxiety and hand wringing flowing from your brain directly into your fingers and onto your keyboard. As always.

You're worried about the trade return for trades that haven't happened, and likely won't happen until closer to league deadlines. You're worried about the draft position for a draft that hasn't happened. You're worried about the roster for a team playing in an arena that isn't built. You're a living breathing walking talking advertisement for a pharmaceutical company's latest anti anxiety medication.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

I recall CP being like this the last time the Flames faced a rebiggle. The discussion back then centered around why the Flames waited so long to trade Iginla. Most of CP saw the writing on the wall - Iginla and the rest of the roster were getting older, slower, and were playing some of the most boring unwatchable hockey. Yet the Flames seemed to drag their feet and made decisions that kept the roster in the mushy middle for a number of years.
The future was bolstered by mushy-middle draft picks like Tim Erickson, Greg Nemisz, Mark Jankowski, and Sven Baertschi.

There wasn't any real excitement for the future until the Flames bottomed out and started drafting near the top with Bennett, Monahan, and Tkachuk. That's when CP became really interesting and a fun place to be.

Unfortunately I see the Flames doing the same things again. They're afraid to make to make hard decisions that truly benefit the future and immediately inject some potential super Star talent on the roster. So once again the Flames trot out the old ways of thinking - we can't trade him, he has a NMC, we need to keep the culture in the room, we need an offer that really blows our socks off, we don't use the "R" word, there are other ways to build a roster that doesn't rely on bottoming out, yadda yadda yadda.
Meanwhile, here are Zary, Peltier, Honzek, Coronato, and Reschney instead of any legitimate chance at Bedard, Celibrini, Schaefer, and likely McKenna.

Worst of all imo, you don't need 5 GMs to do that work and certainly not the same crew keeping you in the mushy middle.

Fire Maloney and the rest, give CC complete control, trade everyone over 26 for *reasonable* returns instead of holding out for the best possible deals, and bottom the eff out right bloody now. Avoid this slow inevitable death nonsense and bottom out now.

So this plan would be moving (not counting Huberdeau as I believe he cannot be realistically moved)

Kadri - 7 million
Sharangovich - 5.75 million
Coleman - 4.9 million
Backlund - 4.5 million
Lomberg - 2 million
Kirkland - 900K
Weegar - 6.25 million
Andersson -4.55 million
Hanley - 1.75 million
Bean - 1.75 million
Cooley - 775K

Not taking into account accrual space that would leave the Flames about 20 million below the cap floor for this year and about 33 million under the floor for next year (after Wolf’s new contract). The Flames would have to take back some guys over 26 with big contracts just to make the cap floor in this scenario or convince UFAs to sign on with a team with such a gutted roster.

[NewFan]

Waiting the last year to trade a good player is looking like a bad idea these days. Like Tkachuk, Hanifin, and Andersson. They had more control where they wanted to go.
So if you think you have a tradeble player who is not in your future plan, you better trade them at least 2 years before the contract expire.
I think other teams will like it too as they can trade the same player and get some return back if he doesn't fit their team.

[Vinny01]

It is pretty clear people want to move Kadri, Coleman, Andersson.

The fact the flames “could only move Coleman now if they attach a 2nd and get a 5th back” has to be one of the weakest arguments and excuses for the Flames I have heard yet.

Once it was clear Danault was on the market and the Kings actively shopped him they still got a 2nd despite him having another year on his deal and terrible stats this year.

The excuse the flames won’t or can’t make a trade now because only good offers come in towards the deadline is not something I am buying. I think there was always a reluctance to move anyone outside Andersson this year and the fact they played their way out of this start back into the wildcard mix I would be surprised if we see Kadri and Coleman go this year.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

It is pretty clear people want to move Kadri, Coleman, Andersson.

The fact the flames “could only move Coleman now if they attach a 2nd and get a 5th back” has to be one of the weakest arguments and excuses for the Flames I have heard yet.

Once it was clear Danault was on the market and the Kings actively shopped him they still got a 2nd despite him having another year on his deal and terrible stats this year.

The excuse the flames won’t or can’t make a trade now because only good offers come in towards the deadline is not something I am buying. I think there was always a reluctance to move anyone outside Andersson this year and the fact they played their way out of this start back into the wildcard mix I would be surprised if we see Kadri and Coleman go this year.

Yeah I agree, I keep seeing this excuse that trades are not easy. Ok, fair point but as a GM you get paid a lot of money to execute roster moves that help your team.

You were in a prime position to pick top 5. Your team absolutely fell apart for the first month of the season. When you saw your team start winning and turning it around, you should have put an end to it right then and there and traded some vets to continue the tank.

Instead, now we find ourselves very much back in the middle of the pack. I really hope they make playoffs, because if you finish right outside the playoffs again, it will be beyond frustrating as a fan. I don't know if Conroy has his hands tied by these old dinosaurs who don't know how to build a winner, but it seems that way.

[TheIronMaiden]

The odds of Kadri getting traded are so low it is basically fanfic.

[Heavy Jack]

I don’t know why but seemingly every time the flames are reported to be considering trading a roster player the general sentiment from media and fans alike is the flames are getting woefully bad offers in turn. Think back to when Burkie refused to trade Cammy for a 3rd; it’s been something this franchise has battle for what feels like forever and here we are again dealing with the same reports.

Tanev isn’t worth a 1st
Hanifin isn’t worth a blue chip
Lindy won’t get much of a return

That’s all we heard, and while Lindholm ended up being a decent return, it’s frustrating to see the Flames consistently on the wrong side of a trade where they are trading the best piece and receiving pennies on the dollar.

I do believe CC is battling this to the best of his abilities and honestly we shouldn’t trade Coleman or Kadri this year unless it’s an offer we simply can’t refuse which is making me not hold my breath because the league, fans and pundits alike, has consistently and constantly undervalued our pieces for so long.

At this point, with how much of a fan fav and how he is homegrown and drafted talent I don’t want to be raked over the coals on a Andersson trade which feels almost inevitable. And again, I don’t think this is CC’s fault, for wte reason the Flames have always had to weather terrible trade winds more often than not.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

So who would you have signed if you were given the order to improve the team?


Go look at the plethora of quality FAs last year and see who actually improves this team and moved teams

Certainly no top 2 line forwards which was their biggest issue

I think the Flames and most (many?) teams just add when they had cap space.

We saw it every year.

They're not doing any of that.

They didn't improve the back up position. They didn't improve the bottom pairing. They didn't upgrade the forward group even at the bottom line.

Those are easy depth adds, especially after the first wave when the bargains start to improve.

They took a pass.

That's not trying to get better.

[Bonded]

I think the tight standings make trades harder to complete right now. Highly doubtful Coleman or Kadri left teams on their ntcs that would obviously want them. Coleman pretty much has a NMC and Kadri needs one team not on his list that has serious interest.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

That is a fair point of view, never seen someone actually put their fire sale price in a post before. 2nd and 3rd for Coleman would definitely be a fire sale and would also probably move the Flames down a number of notches in the draft order. I suspect at the end of the day that Conroy ends up getting a 1st and a 2nd for Coleman and the draft order is not all that different because of how bunched up the bottom of the standings are.

I think your expectation of returns are actually out of whack

Wingers don't get traded for 1st picks very often

In the last few years here are the trades for a winger that included a 1st

https://puckpedia.com/trade/942 - Bjorkstrand and Aucoin to TB for 2 firsts

That is the list.

If you want to go back further 24 year old DeBrincat got a 1st as part of the return in July of 2023.

https://puckpedia.com/trade/725

Next one? March 2 2023! 28 year old Tyler Bertuzzi got a 1st and a 4th

https://puckpedia.com/trade/655

I don't think a 2nd and a 3rd is the "Fire Sale" you think it is for a winger. Teams just dont value them to the same extent as D and C's.

I suspect you are correct the Flames are holding out for a 1st and 2nd - And I highly doubt that price is ever met, they hold Coleman until next year and then either resign or trade at the deadline for a 2nd + 2nd/3rd or B spect.

[Two Fivenagame]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

So this plan would be moving (not counting Huberdeau as I believe he cannot be realistically moved)

Kadri - 7 million
Sharangovich - 5.75 million
Coleman - 4.9 million
Backlund - 4.5 million
Lomberg - 2 million
Kirkland - 900K
Weegar - 6.25 million
Andersson -4.55 million
Hanley - 1.75 million
Bean - 1.75 million
Cooley - 775K

Not taking into account accrual space that would leave the Flames about 20 million below the cap floor for this year and about 33 million under the floor for next year (after Wolf’s new contract). The Flames would have to take back some guys over 26 with big contracts just to make the cap floor in this scenario or convince UFAs to sign on with a team with such a gutted roster.

You're right. The Flames would likely need to take some salary back, much like the Markstrom and Toffoli trades that included young players in the return that would need a new contract.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bingo

That's not trying to get better.

I somewhat disagree, as while it's not directly trying to get better, when you aren't trading veterans who will not figure into your long term plans, you are hoping you get better with the influx of some young players.

Calgary needs to take some positive steps to get worse. It's the only way to truly get better long term.

By keeping Kadri and Coleman, Calgary is trying to make the playoffs, and that is trying to get better in the short term. Could they do more to getter better short term? Of course. But there is so much more they can do to get better long term.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think the Flames and most (many?) teams just add when they had cap space.

We saw it every year.

They're not doing any of that.

They didn't improve the back up position. They didn't improve the bottom pairing. They didn't upgrade the forward group even at the bottom line.

Those are easy depth adds, especially after the first wave when the bargains start to improve.

They took a pass.

That's not trying to get better.

Part of their rebuild plan was to make room for prospects so they are not going to get anywhere with top free agents and bringing in depth takes away their ability to add those guys. They are not doing anything to get better but also not doing enough to get bad enough to draft the elite talent at the top of the draft.

They have the “best trade chips” according to Frank but it remains to be seen if anyone outside Andersson is on the move. They chose to not trade him for a 26 1st and Minten last year and all Andersson has done this season is help the team get out of the basement. Hopefully keeping him through the deadline, summer, and first half of this season is going to pay off better than the opportunity they had to send him to the Leafs last year

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I somewhat disagree, as while it's not directly trying to get better, when you aren't trading veterans who will not figure into your long term plans, you are hoping you get better with the influx of some young players.

Calgary needs to take some positive steps to get worse. It's the only way to truly get better long term.

By keeping Kadri and Coleman, Calgary is trying to make the playoffs, and that is trying to get better in the short term. Could they do more to getter better short term? Of course. But there is so much more they can do to get better long term.

I think they could certainly do more.

I'm with most in hoping they do.

But to suggest they are actively trying to make the playoffs without spending any of the excess cap or moving draft capital for now players rings hollow to me.

[Strange Brew]

I believe the Flames hoped they would be better than last year, but weren’t willing to sacrifice long term cap space for middle level players. UFA’s aren’t the only way to get better.

Look at this team compared to start of last year. Frost and Farabee for a full season. Leaving space on back end for a couple of the young D to play. Expecting a bounce back for Sharangovich and Andersson. Continued improvement from Coronato.

Did they make a huge off season push to jump up in the standings? No. But they certainly weren’t trying to get worse. Only position where they legitimately took a step back was backup goalie. And IMO they were ready to do something there in season if needed.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

It is pretty clear people want to move Kadri, Coleman, Andersson.

The fact the flames “could only move Coleman now if they attach a 2nd and get a 5th back” has to be one of the weakest arguments and excuses for the Flames I have heard yet.

Once it was clear Danault was on the market and the Kings actively shopped him they still got a 2nd despite him having another year on his deal and terrible stats this year.

The excuse the flames won’t or can’t make a trade now because only good offers come in towards the deadline is not something I am buying. I think there was always a reluctance to move anyone outside Andersson this year and the fact they played their way out of this start back into the wildcard mix I would be surprised if we see Kadri and Coleman go this year.

So you’d be good with the Danault return for Kadri?

Question: Would everyone be happy if they just sat Kadri and Coleman instead? Same desired effect.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I somewhat disagree, as while it's not directly trying to get better, when you aren't trading veterans who will not figure into your long term plans, you are hoping you get better with the influx of some young players.

Calgary needs to take some positive steps to get worse. It's the only way to truly get better long term.

By keeping Kadri and Coleman, Calgary is trying to make the playoffs, and that is trying to get better in the short term. Could they do more to getter better short term? Of course. But there is so much more they can do to get better long term.

I would love to trade Kadri and Coleman as well and it makes the most sense to trade them. But if the returns aren't great and teams are calling on Frost, maybe they move him first. 8 forwards have 100 mins against elite competition on the Flames and Frost's number are not good. He plays tons of PP and gets #1 PP time and slots in a spot where the puck is on his stick. This typcally gets you more points than someone standing in front of the net. He has all of 7 seconds on the PK and ranks 2nd to Kadri in PP ice time. All this prime opportunity has resuted in a player who is on place for 40 points.

When I look into the numbers, Sharnagovich has played well against elite players and played more minutes against elite players, gets half the PP time and plays more on the PK. Slot him in Frost's spot and he performs much better IMO and his value would go from a negative value to a positive value.

Trade Frost and Ras is also a great option if the plan is to keep Coleman and Kadri until the demand in value is met. We would gain a lot long term and still maybe improve short term with Parekh coming back soon and Kuznetsov and Bruce deserving a role with this team move forward.

No matter where we finish in the standings, this season has seeen long term progress, especially on d with the kids taking minutes from the depth d and Bahl looking more and more like a top end shut down dman vs a 3rd pairing dman with no upside like some suggested going into the season.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I think your expectation of returns are actually out of whack

Wingers don't get traded for 1st picks very often

In the last few years here are the trades for a winger that included a 1st

https://puckpedia.com/trade/942 - Bjorkstrand and Aucoin to TB for 2 firsts

That is the list.

If you want to go back further 24 year old DeBrincat got a 1st as part of the return in July of 2023.

https://puckpedia.com/trade/725

Next one? March 2 2023! 28 year old Tyler Bertuzzi got a 1st and a 4th

https://puckpedia.com/trade/655

I don't think a 2nd and a 3rd is the "Fire Sale" you think it is for a winger. Teams just dont value them to the same extent as D and C's.

I suspect you are correct the Flames are holding out for a 1st and 2nd - And I highly doubt that price is ever met, they hold Coleman until next year and then either resign or trade at the deadline for a 2nd + 2nd/3rd or B spect.

Wingers as good as Blake Coleman also never get traded with term attached. When they do get traded they get traded for 1st round picks. Probably is an argument to trade him this year if there is a package that includes a first, which I suspect is Conroy’s asking price.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

So you’d be good with the Danault return for Kadri?

Question: Would everyone be happy if they just sat Kadri and Coleman instead? Same desired effect.

Did I say that? Not even close and you know that is not what I meant. You have done a nice job convincing yourself that there are no real trade partners for our players but I am pretty sure you have only been successful in convincing yourself alone of that notion. Kadri is on pace for 70pts and Danault was traded with ZERO goals and 5 points in 30 games this year. So that would be the offer that the Flames would take for Kadri? How poor of a negotiator do you think Conroy is to have that type of expectation? You must not hold that high a view of him if you think that is all he could muster up in a negotiation?

Aarongavey is telling us the only way to move Coleman now is if we attach our 2nd and we can expect to get a 5th as the return. Does anyone really think that is the case?

Again you have convinced only yourself that there are no good offers for our players. Stupid question to ask if people would rather sit them for the same effect. Get the assets these guys can get via trade. Keeping these guys is keeping the Flames on the treadmill of mediocrity