Speculation: Armchair GM Thread 2025-26 Part Deux; Post-Raz Edition

[tmurfin]

Wait... Devils were interested in Flames players in such a trade? Who? Why?

I assume not our dmen, so if it's forwards, who had that type of value? Unless they were poking at prospects?



I was thinking the same. We have to move a guy, but we also have a slight logjam.

Flames have (in theory):

Parekh - Whitecloud
Bahl - Nemec

Hanley/Pachal/Brewski/Kuznetsov ?

Makes sense if we run 8 dman, but we gotta move someone like Hanley/Maatta.

Then I assume we tell Brewski, Hurtig and Wiebe to really figure out the top pairing situation for the Wranglers and they'll have a chance next season when the UFA expire and we run 8 dman again?

But the possibility I'm most curious about is if the Nemec move means we might trade Brewski. I think there's a chance to keep him, but I'm also curious.

They wanna take the next step, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were trying for a package around Whitecloud+

 

[Darth Vladar]

Wait... Devils were interested in Flames players in such a trade? Who? Why?

I assume not our dmen, so if it's forwards, who had that type of value? Unless they were poking at prospects?



I was thinking the same. We have to move a guy, but we also have a slight logjam.

Flames have (in theory):

Parekh - Whitecloud
Bahl - Nemec

Hanley/Pachal/Brewski/Kuznetsov ?

Makes sense if we run 8 dman, but we gotta move someone like Hanley/Maatta.

Then I assume we tell Brewski, Hurtig and Wiebe to really figure out the top pairing situation for the Wranglers and they'll have a chance next season when the UFA expire and we run 8 dman again?

But the possibility I'm most curious about is if the Nemec move means we might trade Brewski. I think there's a chance to keep him, but I'm also curious.

I think it’s more likely we move Maatta at the deadline. He’ll only be 32, can play both sides, looked pretty decent for us, probably unsustainable, but was scoring at like a 50+ point pace, plus he’s got the back-to-back Stanley Cup pedigree. I think GMs looking for depth D will similarly kick tires on Nacho. The problem should ultimately solve itself. Kuzy/Brzusty bottom pair and Patches as the #7.

 

[Lunatik]

After getting Tsyplakov, you'd have to think Coleman is moved soon.

No. Honestly, I half expect him to be bought out. I wouldn't be remotely shocked if he never plays a game for the Flames.

 

[Lunatik]

@Fig if they were looking at players, I imagine they were looking more at Coronato, Gridin, Parekh and thats why we never bit.

 

[tmurfin]

 

[Fig]

Hmm... I was thinking a McTavish like trade for 6OA, but now I'm wondering if ottawa nabs him then makes other C available. Iirc, ottawa fans kept saying they didn't need C, but they just picked up Eklund after flipping Brady.

Assuming 6OA in play... There might be some strange options available. If Ottawa does chase McTavish due to his dad... I'm wondering if other moves not relating to 6OA are available for the excess C ottawa will have. I also wonder if this will suddenly make a bunch of C more available from other teams or make the prices super interesting.

 

[Iggys Dome]

I wouldn't be mad if we swung for MM...given the price is reasonable. Then again you can say that about literally any deal.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I wouldn't be mad if we swung for MM...given the price is reasonable. Then again you can say that about literally any deal.

Prices scare me right now. Let someone else pay that price for McTavish

 

[viper0220]

According to CP, Calgary asked about Michkov.

 

[tmurfin]

Connys in the kitchen this week, love to see it

 

[Fig]

I wouldn't be mad if we swung for MM...given the price is reasonable. Then again you can say that about literally any deal.

If I'm Connie, I'd goad ottawa into swinging for MM, then seeing what the price is for someone "redundant" like Cozens and pinto.

Same thing in pressuring teams to poke at Fantilli, Sillinger and the other RFAS and see who spins off.

This year is perfect for playing weird games and it's one of the weird rare years with C availability.

The Nemec trade also surprised me in that the 2027 VGK first was moved. IIRC, there's a lot of C options throughout that first round of that draft. Connie and co must not be too enamored with future drafts and want to take advantage of a perfect storm for this season.

I also think there must be more bubbling under the surface he's excited for that we fans aren't too aware of (ie: all the trades today that blindsided most fan bases).

I'm excited

 

[Lunatik]

Prices scare me right now. Let someone else pay that price for McTavish

I think Conroy did well for Nemec.

But yeah, unless they Ducks are willing to build something around #30 and players I don't have penciled in as important future pieces, I'd be down. But something tells me #30, Whitecloud, Frost and Coleman won't get it done lol

 

[Fig]

I think Conroy did well for Nemec.

But yeah, unless they Ducks are willing to build something around #30 and players I don't have penciled in as important future pieces, I'd be down. But something tells me #30, Whitecloud, Frost and Coleman won't get it done lol

McTavish is a sexy name but I'd circle back to ones that have gone quiet. For me, I'd quietly circle to Thomas to see what's going on there after Kyrou had been moved. Though I think the Thomas availability was rescinded? I can't think of any other sub 27 year old 1C that could make sense for our rebuild time line.

I've said Wright a few times. I'd also poke around Columbus' RFA.

I don't think it's incorrect to attempt an accelerated rebuild by targetting 1C that fit the time line. I think Conroy might be pulling around to see what unique options are popping up this year.

 

[BobColesNasalCavity]

Wait... Devils were interested in Flames players in such a trade? Who? Why?

I assume not our dmen, so if it's forwards, who had that type of value? Unless they were poking at prospects?

Probably Coronato

 

[herashak]

Oh man we’re gonna get another RD at #6 too.. losing the lottery making things awkward

 

[Zirakzigil]

Flames have a million wingers and defensemen now, moves have to be made. Right now Maatta, Hanley and Pachal are depth defensemen and even with a Coleman trade they have too many wingers.

 

[Yepthatsme]

According to CP, Calgary asked about Michkov.

I’d love a chance at Bjorck, but I’d never think about him again if we had the opportunity to swap the 6th overall for Michkov. Flyers get a re-do trying to get a player who gels better with Tocchet, and Calgary gets our best chance to develop a superstar outside of a lottery win.

 

[Lunatik]

Flames have a million wingers and defensemen now, moves have to be made. Right now Maatta, Hanley and Pachal are depth defensemen and even with a Coleman trade they have too many wingers.

Yeah something has to give.

We have upwards of 20 forwards competing for 13-14 spots and I'm pretty sure 30 of those are wingers. Only Gridin, Honzek, Gross and Suniev are waiver exempt.
We have upwards of 11 defensemen competing 7-8 spots. 3 are waiver exempt, but I don't want to see Brz or Zayne in the AHL to start.
Goalies, I think are set. But with how many teams need goalies, we would be stupid not to explore Cooley's value, if only at the cursory level.

I think we should seriously try and move the likes of Pospisil, and Zary up front, and then Maatta, Hanley, Pachal and Kuznetsov on the backend.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I think Conroy did well for Nemec.

But yeah, unless they Ducks are willing to build something around #30 and players I don't have penciled in as important future pieces, I'd be down. But something tells me #30, Whitecloud, Frost and Coleman won't get it done lol

No I'm very happy with that price. What I don't like is we've seen two top 10 picks moved today alone. That is virtually unheard of in the cap era. Like if Anaheim is asking for value similar to like a 10th OA pick for MM then I would probably pass. I like McTavish but he lacks foot speed to be a bonafide 1C. Obviously that can change but if asking prices stay as high as they seem right now I would rather be the selling team

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

McTavish is a sexy name but I'd circle back to ones that have gone quiet. For me, I'd quietly circle to Thomas to see what's going on there after Kyrou had been moved. Though I think the Thomas availability was rescinded? I can't think of any other sub 27 year old 1C that could make sense for our rebuild time line.

I've said Wright a few times. I'd also poke around Columbus' RFA.

I don't think it's incorrect to attempt an accelerated rebuild by targetting 1C that fit the time line. I think Conroy might be pulling around to see what unique options are popping up this year.

I don't think there's any such thing as "quietly circling to Thomas" Like the asking price on him isn't suddenly going to drop from the 4 1sts or whatever it was at the deadline.

I wonder about someone like Sillinger though. Probably not the best idea if we want Tate McRae to stay a Flames fan though

 

[Fig]

I don't think there's any such thing as "quietly circling to Thomas" Like the asking price on him isn't suddenly going to drop from the 4 1sts or whatever it was at the deadline.

I wonder about someone like Sillinger though. Probably not the best idea if we want Tate McRae to stay a Flames fan though

I'm still penciling in Coleman to Dallas. Hoping for Bourque.

I think Steen and Armstrong said in April they will stop listening on Thomas and Thomas went on personal leave soon after? That's why I said quietly circle back to Thomas.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I'm still penciling in Coleman to Dallas. Hoping for Bourque.

I think Steen and Armstrong said in April they will stop listening on Thomas and Thomas went on personal leave soon after? That's why I said quietly circle back to Thomas.

Yeah that's not really realistic. Bourque is probably one of the top offer sheet candidates this summer and will likely be in the 1st + 3rd tier (~4.8M to ~7.2M). If he isn't offer sheeted, it's probably because he is traded first or Dallas finds a way to offload Seguin's contract.

Haven't heard that about Thomas. Not doubting you, just wasn't following it that much

 

[Lunatik]

I don't think there's any such thing as "quietly circling to Thomas" Like the asking price on him isn't suddenly going to drop from the 4 1sts or whatever it was at the deadline.

I wonder about someone like Sillinger though. Probably not the best idea if we want Tate McRae to stay a Flames fan though

Kent Johnson is also someone I've wondered about

 

[RasmusAndersson]

Yeah something has to give.

We have upwards of 20 forwards competing for 13-14 spots and I'm pretty sure 30 of those are wingers. Only Gridin, Honzek, Gross and Suniev are waiver exempt.
We have upwards of 11 defensemen competing 7-8 spots. 3 are waiver exempt, but I don't want to see Brz or Zayne in the AHL to start.
Goalies, I think are set. But with how many teams need goalies, we would be stupid not to explore Cooley's value, if only at the cursory level.

I think we should seriously try and move the likes of Pospisil, and Zary up front, and then Maatta, Hanley, Pachal and Kuznetsov on the backend.

Curious why you think it’s worth it to move Pospisil and/Zary over Coleman/Sharangovich? I think we’d be selling very low on Pospy specifically — at least give him a full offseason to see if he can bounce back to 2024 form. I still think he can be an effective bottom-6 forechecker with good speed (similar to a William Carrier). I doubt we’d get more than a 4th for him now, so why sell low when there’s a chance he could bounce back a bit and be able to fetch more? And similar argument for Zary.

I’d rather shop Sharangovich for almost anything or see if a team is offering a lottery-protected first for Coleman, or else keep Coleman until December/January and rotate one of Pospisil or Klapka or Honzy in the press box (or Honzy in the A for a stint) until Coleman is moved. By the deadline, both Coleman and Strome should be moved, which should solve the log jam. Then, if certain young guys are forcing their way up the depth chart (Stromgren, Castagna, etc.), consider trading one of Zary/Pospy or whoever doesn’t bounce back or step up.

IMO the roster logjam issues are overblown. There’s always injuries, and we can definitely survive for a few months with the roster as is even if nobody is hurt (which won’t happen). I just wouldn’t sell low on anyone just for the sake of it