As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to look forward to what will certainly be a busy 2026. The Calgary Flames will play 16 games in the new year before the Olympic break in early February. With a month-long absence, the league will return to action only a few days before the 2026 Trade Deadline on March 6. The season has felt jam-packed with the condensed schedule. The anxiety hasn’t been reserved for Flames fans.
We saw the Vancouver Canucks break the ice with a blockbuster trade sending their captain, Quinn Hughes, to the Minnesota Wild for a plethora of young talent and a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. With the Flames having held their cards close thus far, we wanted to know how many current Flames roster members will be traded when the calendar turns. If the Flames make a move, how many?
We asked, you answered.
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How many current Flames get traded in 2026?
We presented the poll below to our readers.
Two players traded
Roughly 45% of fans think that two current Flames will be traded in 2026. Two is a reasonable number, but if we’re considering the masses’ desires to rebuild, that could be insufficient. The Flames are still 27th overall in the league, just two points ahead of the Bedard-less Chicago Blackhawks in 32nd.
Despite the Flames’ horrific start to the season, veterans Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson are playing some of their best career hockey. Kadri’s 31 points lead the team, while his eight goals are tied for fourth in Flames scoring. Kadri’s yet again been the heartbeat of this Flames group that saw a hot start carry them close to the playoffs, but with no success.
Andersson, on the other hand, is coming off one of his worst career seasons last year. The 29-year-old career Flame has bounced back in 2025–26, putting up 25 points and seven goals in 36 games. Rasmus has also been a workhorse this season, leading the team with 24:06 TOI per game.
Both veterans have made it apparent they have lots of fight left and would surely be valuable to any playoff team that pursued them. The real question will be, what do the offers look like?
Three or more players traded
Over a third of respondents think there will be another third name in trade conversation to start 2026. You would assume the logical choice would be two-time Stanley Cup Champion Blake Coleman. The 34-year-old Plano, Texas product has scored 17 points while tallying 10 goals, a figure good enough for second on the team.
Coleman also has three shorthanded goals. That’s half of the Flames’ league-leading six, and has him tied for the most across the league. There’s no question Coleman would be a vital piece to add to a Cup contender. The past few seasons, Coleman has really played above his expected role, taking the opportunities in stride and being one of the most consistent players in the Flames’ room.
If Kadri and Andersson are on their way out, I would think Coleman is long gone as well. It’s an obvious lineup of trade chips in Calgary, and despite their age, the return coming to the Flames could be handsome. All three of the players we’ve discussed have moved the needle for the Flames regularly over their tenures with the team.
One or none
Roughly 20% of fans think the Flames will trade away one or fewer current roster players in 2026. It was beginning to look grim after the Flames encouraged Don Maloney to infuriate fans and ensure the league knew they weren’t trading anyone, and playoffs were the goal. Roughly a month later, the team has turned around their play. However, there was a lot of ground to make up and a lot of teams to leapfrog.
With the Flames still sitting in the bottom five of league standings after a strong stretch of play, the alarm bells are growing louder. With roughly six weeks until Olympic break and the trade deadline promptly following, trade tickers will be busy in the new year as teams prepare for the sprint to playoffs in March.
Lots could fall
It seems the consensus amongst Flames fans is for the team to trade at least one of their aging talents. Between Kadri, Andersson and Coleman, the Flames could collect a healthy return to boost their rebuild. If they want to hang on to a Coleman or a Kadri, I think some fans could understand that from a leadership perspective. However, one thing is certain. Flames fans are ready for a change, and we’ve been teased for too long. Time to pick up the phone, Craig.
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