2025/2026 Season Trade Rumours and Speculation Thread

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I can second this, I've heard of no handcuffing either.
Craig's set the price, ownership are aware of the price and good with it as well.
Should the price need to shift, I'm sure the two would chat, but Craig has full authority to do as he feels is best for the franchise.

As I have posted before i can third this. In my one and only "insider" chance meeting with a high level member of Flames org at a party a year ago. After 30 minutes of interrogation, I was completely reassured/convinced that ME does not interfere with Hockey Operations decisions. He trusts fully in the hockey operations team assembled and does not micromanage them.

Maloney would be the only person "above" CC who would have authority to influence CCs decision making.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Craig has wanted a young RH shot center for a while.

If Boston is involved I'd guess a 2026 1st (Leafs) and Poitras would be the ask or something like that.

Big Dean Létourneau’s age (2024 draft) fits with the team’s future core. He is a RH C. He is producing over a PPG and has reportedly been quite dominant for Boston College.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Based on those draft positions, that value is very close to the Dobson trade. Dobson was exchanged for 2 picks in the teens + Heineman.

I know a lot of people hang their hats on age, but the gap between Dobson and Andersson is 3 years, 2 months. It isn't as big as some people here play it up to be.

Considering their point production this year is nearly identical (Andersson has more goals, Dobson has more assists) it isn't that crazy to believe Andersson can get 2 picks back... and Heineman is actually doing pretty good this year so that Dobson trade would even further increase the value of Andersson if there is an extension in place.

I'd love for you to be right - would be thrilled if that happened and who the heck knows what GMs are offering. Andersson being moved out quickly and the flames adding two picks of that quality, ending up with four 1sts is an absolute dream scenario on my end. I think when you get prospects often the only guys put on the table are players other teams have already had a close look at for a year or two post draft and seen warts, nobody really gives up players they think are going to be impact unless the player coming back is a major star.

[devo22]

if Boston is willing to part with one of their 1sts and a good prospect, that'd be enticing. Both their own and the Leafs pick are in the low to middle 10s right now, the Vegas pick is too. Finesse that into drafting someone like Bjorck on top of our own top 5 pick.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yeah the points back is always misleading. It's the number of teams you have to out perform and climb over that is key. Due to teams playing each other, the overtime points, etc, some of those teams are going to get points on a regular basis. So if you have a lot of teams between you and a playoff spot, it doesn't really matter that you are "only 5 points back", the odds are stacked against you.

And with that many teams in play there is an almost guaranteed result of the bar moving upward.

Right now it's a measly 88 point pace by team #8 in the West.

If the glut creates a lot of three point games and a team popping you likely see that go to 92 or so.

At 92 the Flames would need to go on a 109 point pace the rest of the way to get in.

The Flames know they're not making the playoffs ... I can't believe there isn't an inhouse guy with enough modelling skill to point it out.

[Heavy Jack]

Live shot at the office of Conroy and Maloney getting ready for a phone call with another GM

[The EBUG's EBUG]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Don’t want to throw Potter into anything at this point; he’s torching the NCAA right now and seemingly getting better and better by the game. I think we have a steal there.

Great production on an anemic ASU team, curious what the plan is. Wouldn't shock me to see Potter and Reschny in game 82 this year and then with the Wranglers in the fall.

Alternatively maybe he transfers and take a run at the Hobey Baker as a Junior?

Fun player!

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Bingo

And with that many teams in play there is an almost guaranteed result of the bar moving upward.

Right now it's a measly 88 point pace by team #8 in the West.

If the glut creates a lot of three point games and a team popping you likely see that go to 92 or so.

At 92 the Flames would need to go on a 109 point pace the rest of the way to get in.

The Flames know they're not making the playoffs ... I can't believe there isn't an inhouse guy with enough modelling skill to point it out.

Deja vu from last year IIRC. I seem to remember a 92-point cutoff and then it kept creeping up because St. Louis popped off.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

As I have posted before i can third this. In my one and only "insider" chance meeting with a high level member of Flames org at a party a year ago. After 30 minutes of interrogation, I was completely reassured/convinced that ME does not interfere with Hockey Operations decisions. He trusts fully in the hockey operations team assembled and does not micromanage them.

Maloney would be the only person "above" CC who would have authority to influence CCs decision making.

Stick this in a notes file on your phone.

You may need to post this every 30 days on repeat going forward.

[Knut]

Is it time to ignore all family and work duties to relentlessly press F5 ?

[Tbull8]

SJ - Musty
DET - Danielson
Those are my predictions

[TheScorpion]

I'm putting all my chips onto the "Nothing ever happens" square. It's worked out quite well for the last 341 days.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Muta

Damnit Connie, con Grier into giving us Misa! Tell him he was absolute garbage at the WJC! Hell, we'll throw in Potter and the Vegas first too!

Misa is close to an untouchable for the Sharks. San Jose sees Celebrini, Smith and Misa as the core of the future and they are almost untouchable. Dickinson, Askarov and Eklund are important pieces but they aren't untouchable (would have to be worthwile for them to be moved).

[Heavy Jack]

I do think he stays one more year in the NCAA before jumping pro and he definitely will have a shot at the Hobey next year too, definitely a fun player to watch and follow, he has that big game energy that you love to see in a prospect, seems to make big plays happen when it matters most. Considering his lineage too I think it’s innate, I’d be surprised if he didn’t jump up 10 spots minimum in a redraft at this point and he’s getting better and better like I mentioned before, exciting times honestly… especially if we make some more future capital gains here.

Also Vegas can kindly fall on their face finally and gift us a lotto pick!

[devo22]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I'm putting all my chips onto the "Nothing ever happens" square. It's worked out quite well for the last 341 days.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Royle9

I can second this, I've heard of no handcuffing either.
Craig's set the price, ownership are aware of the price and good with it as well.
Should the price need to shift, I'm sure the two would chat, but Craig has full authority to do as he feels is best for the franchise.

I've never thought ME was involved on in-season transactions. Just the larger strategic direction at the outset, and that direction would limit the GM from operating in a way that doesn't remain competitive and try to make the playoffs.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I'd love for you to be right - would be thrilled if that happened and who the heck knows what GMs are offering. Andersson being moved out quickly and the flames adding two picks of that quality, ending up with four 1sts is an absolute dream scenario on my end. I think when you get prospects often the only guys put on the table are players other teams have already had a close look at for a year or two post draft and seen warts, nobody really gives up players they think are going to be impact unless the player coming back is a major star.

Dobson fetched that price during the draft when draft picks are at their highest value. In mid-season trades like this there is a lot less laser focus on draft picks because they are still so fluid and the Bruin's pick in particular will likely get a lot worse if adding Andersson allows them to climb the standings.

If the Bruins offered both of those 1sts + Poitras, that would be less value than what the Islanders got for Dobson, especially if the Bruins pick ends up in the 20s.

But the extension would be a requirement to get that value. So keep that agent running!

[Muta]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Misa is close to an untouchable for the Sharks. San Jose sees Celebrini, Smith and Misa as the core of the future and they are almost untouchable. Dickinson, Askarov and Eklund are important pieces but they aren't untouchable (would have to be worthwile for them to be moved).

My post was tongue in cheek...

[Heavy Jack]

Allowing me to dream… and in response to me lol say Vegas does fall on their face and lottos and we also land a top 5 pick ourselves… who would you dream of drafting with those two top 5 picks.

Stenberg was ridiculous in the gold medal game… his skating and pass on the 3-0 goal was filthy… to add him and then have McKenna ‘fall’ to us with the Vegas pick would be sweet glory from the hockey gods and I’m dreaming of this scenario dammit. lol. This is fun!

[JonDuke]

I still think Ras and Brz are both heading to LA.