We are less than a week away from the 2025–26 NHL trade deadline, and there are a lot of rumours buzzing around the Calgary Flames. It is ultimately another year of “will they, won’t they?” with this team. Trading Rasmus Andersson was the top priority, and that has been checked off the list. Could a player like Blake Coleman be on the move, or a big-ticket name like Nazem Kadri be on his way out?
Could this be right?
The Flames moving Zach Whitecloud, Ryan Lomberg, and Daniil Miromanov would be great! Trading the three of them and getting a 22-year-old right-hand centre and then some in return? Sign me up. Kirby Dach’s injury history does concern me, but not enough to hold off on the trade. Could he have a reverse Sean Monahan revival in Calgary? Jayden Struble is a name I’ve seen pop up in nearly every Montreal trade package. If he’s struggling in Montreal, I’m not entirely sure Calgary is the best place for a young blueliner looking to take that next step. Again, just about anything you get in return for those three is a win.
Verdict: This might take some renegotiating, but I do think this is a starting point.
Swing and a miss with Andersson, but what about Weegar?
The Bruins did not land Rasmus Andersson, but another eligible blueliner has entered the villa. The Bruins have expressed interest in Mackenzie Weegar but are reportedly hesitant about the term. At face value, the Bruins could certainly use someone like Weegar to stabilize the backend, especially with either Hampus Lindholm or Mackenzie Weegar seemingly rotating in and out of the lineup with injuries. The return looks similar to what was offered for Andersson. This time, you’re adding in a young centre, Fabian Lysell and swapping a first-round pick for a 2028 third. The Flames could use both him and Poitras. Mason Lohrei is another young LHD. He does have an offensive upside, but that’s kind of pointless when he can routinely be a defensive liability.
Verdict: Give me all the young centres hungry for a change of scenery.
Whitecloud on the move
If there’s a trade that brings a young defenceman like Pavel Mintyukov to Calgary, I’m all over it. He is 6’1, weighing in at 207 pounds. That’s the size that would make Darryl Sutter salivate. Mintyokov is in his rookie year but has a lot of potential. Imagine a pairing of Zayne Parekh and Mintyukov? It’d be a lot of fun, but I don’t think the Ducks are moving on from the first-rounder for a 29-year-old defenceman.
Taking on Alex Kilorn’s contract wouldn’t be that big of a deal. The Flames aren’t looking to get better and make the playoffs. They’re doing the rebiggle. You’re moving on from players and hoping you land some successful players along the way. Plus, Craig Conroy knows they need to build through the draft. Bring us the cap dumps.
Verdict: I wouldn’t think twice. Minty to Calgary
Would you even bother watching the Battle of Alberta?
As if the Battle of Alberta isn’t one-sided enough… Let’s just add Nazem Kadri to the Oilers! If this is the only move the Flames make, I don’t know what you’re going to do with most of these players for the rest of the season. Realistically, the most attractive piece of a Nazem Kadri trade is going to be the draft picks. The Flames have to collect as many of those as they can to work through this rebiggle.
Verdict: It’s a starting point… I don’t know why the Flames would add all these players, especially one they already traded away.