The Calgary Flames find themselves in a position they have rarely been in before. The intentional sell at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline that could include several veterans on the way out by the March 6th, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time deadline. After suffering the worst start in franchise history, Flames management made the switch and traded off Rasmus Andersson before the Olympic break. That was the mark of things to come, and heading towards something they’ve avoided for 46 years. Rebuild. Things are expected to heat up with the roster freeze ending after the Olympic break.
NHL Rumours and the Calgary Flames Deadline Plans
Rumour: Darren Dreger and Eric Francis, and other key insiders, have reported that a number of Flames players could be on the move on or before the trade deadline. Those two, in particular, name Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman as the two likeliest to be dealt in the near future.
Analysis: The Flames are leaning into the approach of a forbidden word in Calgary. The rebuild appears to be underway in Calgary. Even with management not saying that exactly, it’s become evident that the Flames are looking into the youth movement.
Darren Dreger provides an update on where things stand with the #Flames and Nazem Kadri
Presented By | Templ pic.twitter.com/2aGhv9wLm1
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) February 21, 2026
Nazem Kadri
It’s becoming increasingly evident that a change of scenery could be coming for Nazem Kadri. Darren Dreger reported on the Barn Burner Podcast that the “appetite for change is increasing with Nazem Kadri.” Kadri carries a modest $7 million salary cap hit on the contract for the next three seasons, after this one. The 35 year-old Kadri has a 13-team no-trade clause that went into effect this season.
However, even with the Stanley Cup pedigree that Kadri brings, teams would be asking the Flames to retain on the cap hit. Most contenders are at or near the cap. The Flames have one retention slot remaining until the end of the season. That is when the retentions of Jacob Markstrom and Rasmus Andersson come to an end. Kadri would be a perfect second-line centre on a truly contending team, and could fetch a decent haul at the deadline. In 56 games this season, Kadri has 10 goals and 39 points.
Blake Coleman Deadline Target for Contenders
Arguably, Blake Coleman has been the best forward on the Flames roster this season. That has him garnering a lot of attention around the league. Eric Francis of Sportsnet expects the Flames to move on from Coleman. Another Stanley Cup champion who could play in a third-line role, either on the wing or at centre. His versatility is something that attracts attention from the contenders.
It’s become something of a living legend that if you want to fix a player who’s struggling, you put them on the same line as Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman. Goes to show that Coleman has the ability to elevate how others play on his line. Coleman has a 10-team approved trade list, meaning he has a lot of control over where he goes. This is at a very reasonable, for what you get, $4.9 million cap hit that expires after next season. Coleman can easily fit into a capped roster for a couple kicks at the Stanley Cup.
However, some money would have to come back the other way with certain teams. The 34 year-old is second on the team with 13 goals in 44 games. Another take as a Flames fan, a trade also opens a door for one of the Flames’ top prospects, Matvei Gridin, on the wing.
Zach Whitecloud Could Generate Interest
Whitecloud was a part of the return in the Rasmus Andersson trade and immediately filled the vacated spot beside Kevin Bahl. The 29 year-old right-handed defenceman has seen his playing time boost from 18:46 in Vegas. Conversely, going to 23:09 with the Flames. The Flames understand the market for right-handed d-men due to receiving offers for Andersson. With his $2.9 million cap hit easily squeezed into a cap-strapped team looking for a right-handed stay-at-home defender with the proven ability to eat a lot of minutes.
The Flames expect to have top prospect Zayne Parekh on the NHL roster for the remainder of the season. A quick transition away from Whitecloud could open the door for Parekh to play the majority of the games down the stretch. However, before the break, Flames general manager Craig Conroy joined Flames Talk to discuss the plan for Parekh.
MacKenzie Weegar a Long Shot to be Moved
It has been reported by insider Bruce Garrioch that the Ottawa Senators have had discussions with the Flames about Weegar. Weegar’s season is well below what is expected from the 32 year-old. One wonders with the tight-knit group the Flames have created recently, if the Flames go into full sell mode, whether Weegar would want to stay. What comes into play the most is that Weegar has a full no-trade clause, meaning he decides exclusively where he wants to play.
With the Flames outside of the playoff picture, with several teams to leap over, they’re in position to potentially control the centre market. It opens up the opportunity for prospects like Cole Reschny to potentially make the team out of camp next season. The goal for the Flames for now is to continue to get younger and find their superstar.
Main Photo Credit: Brett Holmes-Imagn Images