Latest NHL Trade Buzz: Flames, Maple Leafs, Canadiens

There’s only been one trade since the calendar flipped to 2026, but the rumor mill is heating up. With the Olympic break and roster freeze quickly approaching, expect activity to ramp up over the next few weeks. The Rasmus Andersson situation in Calgary appears to be nearing a head, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to search for help on defense, and the Montreal Canadiens are looking to add as well.

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We’ll dive into it all in the latest edition of NHL Trade Buzz.

The Latest on Rasmus Andersson

Talk surrounding Andersson has picked up significantly in recent days, and it sounds as though this situation could be nearing a resolution. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported today that both Andersson and the Flames would like to solve this before the Olympic break, which likely means GM Craig Conroy moving his pending UFA.

The idea of the Detroit Red Wings as a suitor has gained traction of late, while other contenders in Toronto, Vegas, and Dallas continue to be linked with interest in the 29-year-old and should remain firmly on the radar.

Beyond Andersson, there is still plenty of chatter when it comes to Nazem Kadri. A trade is far from guaranteed, though league-wide interest combined with his desire to join a contender could force Calgary’s hand. It’s also believed Conroy is still willing to retain salary if it helps bring back a stronger package of assets in return.

Maple Leafs Want to Bolster the Blue Line

The Maple Leafs haven’t lost in regulation in over three weeks, turning what once looked like a difficult buy-or-sell decision into a much clearer path for GM Brad Treliving.

With Chris Tanev all but confirmed to miss the rest of the season, adding a right-shot defenseman—preferably one capable of playing top-four minutes—has become Toronto’s top priority. The Leafs are reportedly among the most aggressive teams in pursuit of Dougie Hamilton, though San Jose and Utah currently hold the advantage in terms of assets and cap flexibility.

While Hamilton remains an option, the aforementioned Andersson, Justin Faulk, and Luke Schenn have also surfaced as potential targets. Schenn may be the most realistic fit, given the lower acquisition cost and his familiarity with the organization—particularly his previous success alongside Morgan Rielly.

Canadiens Looking to Add

Montreal has won seven of its last 10 games and is well on its way to reaching the playoffs for a second straight season. The young core continues to blossom, but that hasn’t stopped GM Kent Hughes from working the phones.

Hughes is reportedly looking to inject more snarl into his forward group, with players like Kiefer Sherwood, Blake Coleman, and—more of a pipe dream—Alex Tuch emerging as potential targets.

As for their pursuit of a second-line center, that urgency has cooled somewhat thanks to Oliver Kapanen’s play and Michael Hage’s dominance at both the college level and the World Juniors. Would the Canadiens love to get their hands on a Kadri—or even entertain the dream scenario of Sidney Crosby? Absolutely. But not at the expense of Hage.

Next: Maple Leafs’ Interest in Brayden Schenn Came With Steep Cost Per Insider