Craig Conroy Wraps up the 2026 Trade Deadline!

0:00Have you gotten much sleep in the last 48 hours? No, it's been a busy, busy, busy few days. Yeah, I had my own room at the house. I only slept a couple hours last night, so I just woke up thinking, OK, it's stressful. I mean, it's stressful for the players. It's stressful for the management team, the pros, scouts, everybody's here. Kelso, PR, everybody. It's never easy. And it's tough because I understand I've been treated. I've been there at the deadline and gotten that call. And it's not a fun call. It really isn't. You're like, oh, because you build that comradery with that team and the city and everything, and then to have it be gone. And if you have family, he just pick up. And I was talking to Ryan Strom earlier, and his family's going to stay. Their kids are going to school, and he's coming. So I know that stress. It's not easy on your family. Before we get into the Nazum cadre deal,

1:02so the conditions are on the first round pick. So because the WOD trade has conditions on it, too. So if that pick slides to 20, if you get the 2028 pick, it's top 10 protected. If the Toronto pick slides to 2028, then you get an unprotected 2029. That's the way it works. Yes, that's the way it works. OK, you got it. So first, we find out if the condition works in 2027. So you won't know, and for like a year and a half until what year you're getting that pick, right? Exactly. That's a little bit of tricky part. We do. On the second round pick, the condition is we get the better of the two picks. So that's an easy one. But yeah, it's a little bit of a, because of what they've done with Toronto, with the 27 pick, it does make it a little more tricky. Kind of similar to the hurdle in the San Jose Vegas situation from a few years ago, where they had a pick involved, and then it's slid and all that type of stuff, right? Yeah, totally. Which impacted you guys when it was all said and done. It did. OK, so tell us about the process.

2:02Tell us about what led up to Nazim Kodry being dealt to Colorado here, and making that deal and getting to pass the finish line. You know, first, you know, starts with Chris McFarland. You know, we spoke even before the Olympic break, and we stayed in contact pretty regularly through the whole thing. And then as we got into, you know, came back out of the break, we were talking, talking. And, you know, it felt like you're going back and forth. Things are close, but not there. And, you know, they have to make sense for both sides. So I think when everybody was freaking out the other day, I'm like, we didn't have a deal. I mean, he would say the same thing. We didn't, until you have a deal, it doesn't matter how close people think it is. It's not a deal. So, you know, when we reconnect this morning, we went through everything, and we were able to come to agreement where we did feel like there was a deal that made sense to both sides, and we did it. You know, and that's, you know, that's what it's all about. It's never as easy as people think that just,

3:04hey, do this, it's a process. You know, both sides have to feel comfortable and happy with it, and feel like, you know what, we're getting value, they're getting value, and then we can get it done. What were the conversations like with Nazim Kodrian, and working with him to make sure this deal got done? You know, Naz was, Naz was, he's a true professional. You hear how he handles himself in the media, what he does, you know, the way he speaks. He's been around a long time. He understands the business side of it, too. So, when we were going through it, you know, I think there was some anxious moments for him, though, too, like, is this gonna happen? What is going on? So, you know, and that's the uncertainty, you know, until I called them, and it was after, I pretty, it was pretty late after the, you know, the one o'clock deadline. So, you know, when he finally talked to him, he didn't know what was going on exactly. So, you know, I think there was relief. He was excited, but there were also, he was disappointed, you know,

4:06that we weren't able to do here what he came to do, but also now, okay, he's gonna move on, and he's gonna be, would they have a lunch again? What do you like about the package that you get back from Colorado here in incending Nazim there? You know, I think Olivesin's a guy that could score, you know, and he's good in the power play. He's got a real good shot, and I think that would help some of our young guys, where, you know, he's a guy that is a goal score. So, you know, where we've struggled the last few games, we haven't been able to score, so to get him, and then to kind of move on, when you're looking at prospects, Kern is one of those guys, he's in Edmonton, he had shoulder surgery, so he's out, he's going to UMass next year, an unbelievably good program, and he's a 6-3 center, you know, still skinny, but he played for the Czech team in the world, juniors this year, had a good year, you know, that's where I was really like, you know, Max is playing well here, this is a guy that we should keep an eye on, and obviously the scouts want him, they liked him, so to be able to get a young prospect

5:08in there, another center, a little bit younger, then the last deal, you know, we're going with Jonathan, we're back and forth, you know, we're trying to make sure we can line him up, and that was part of the deal, and then obviously the first round pick and the second round pick, you know, they give you an opportunity to make a pick, or again, like I said, use it to maybe trade to get players, you know, at a certain age group, you know, that's really the goal, or we can use those picks to maybe move up in the draft and target players that we feel that we really wouldn't like to get to. Craig, do you have a set value when you come to retention and deals, and what you guys would like to see back depending on how much money you're retaining? Yeah, we have an analytical thing, you know, what we want for in the deal, but it's always give or take though, you're trying to figure out what, how much we were willing to retain, and what the overall deal looked like, did it make sense? So that was part of it. So, you know, in the end, like I said,

6:09we felt comfortable, they felt comfortable, and you know, it was able to get it over the line. With Conjuring, with Weeger this week, both of them with, you know, limited trade protection, how much does that go into the whole process with any guys, even maybe if something didn't get traded? You know, I mean, I think a lot of it is, they earn that trade protection. So, especially like Nas didn't have Colorado, so we didn't have to call him and ask him about that. We just could make the deal, but you know, a guy like with McKenzie, you know, you have to bring it to him. Yes, you know, it's a shock. Right. You know, when I had him in my office, yes, a couple days ago, you know, he was like, okay, I mean, it's done. You know, you never like hearing those words, and then he kind of had to think, okay, do I want to go somewhere else and play? You know, what, and you kind of lay out their team and what they're like and where they are in the standings and what they're trying to do, and then, you know, I think Billy Armstrong, the coach and then the owner,

7:11all got on the phone call with him and explained to him, hey, this is what we're trying to build here in Utah. And McKenzie's like, okay, I'm all in, you know, but it's still hard because, you know, you got this, when you newly married, you know, there's more than just you to think about. So, you know, you have to sit down and think, okay, does this work for us? And he decided it did. And I, you know, I respect him for that. If he would have come back and said, you know, it doesn't work for me, Craig, I respect that too, because he earned that no move. So, you know, it's tricky thing. It'd be nice if I was thinking it'd be nice if there wasn't any, but I understand why there is, you know. Just in terms of what you're losing, in terms of a leader on and off the ice in Nazim Kaudrey, you know, he had talked a little while ago and said, I'm a two-feet-in kind of guy. Like, if I'm in Cal Graham, I'm sticking there. That's a lot to lose in a guy that really, you know, brought a lot to this team. It is, we've lost a lot with the three guys that we've moved out. They're all a big part of our leadership group.

8:11So, you know, like I said earlier, we need these younger guys to step up and take charge. I mean, to get to where we need to go, they need to kind of move forward, maybe fast forward a little bit and be a bigger part of this leadership group and say, okay, we need to go, you know, I remember when we were sitting on the bench, I used to look over, we'd be down one, it'd be looking at Darrell all day long, like, double shift us, put me out there, I'll get you one, you know, and I want them to be like, hey, I wanna be on the ice. This is a big moment, we need a goal. You can trust me, put me there, you know, and I think, and then in the locker room, they're gonna have to, you know, they can't just sit and be quiet and listen to backs. I mean, backs need support, but Coleman's there. White Cloud, I really like, you know, I love his interviews and listen to him. Like, I think he's a, he's a big part of this. Ryan Lomburg, when you watch the chase, how much of a presence he has. So, you have all these guys that can help, but we want these young guys to step forward. Can I ask you, did you have any second thoughts

9:12when you saw Colorado get war earlier in the week? Did that perk your interest at all, or is that kind of part of the conversation for you guys? What, yeah, I wasn't sure, you know, you never know if a deal is going or not. Like, you're working the phones, trying to figure out what deals are out there, and if there's a possibility, and it's gotta make sense, you know, you just can't do a deal to do a deal. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, you know, and then, you know, there was no UFA's. I know everyone's like, well, you get ahead of it. Well, no, if it doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for you. Craig Conroy's with us, Flames General Manager. And I know you got asked over there, that there'd been a lot of talk about some of your other players. I think Blake Coleman was the one specifically. I know it's tough to talk about. Guys who are still here, just kind of what went into the process of not trading some of the other guys that on the outside were spoken about a lot. Yeah, I mean, I think with Blake, he's a guy. We had, you know, we have personal conversations.

10:13So I knew where he stood with me and him, and, you know, where he is. And for Blake Coleman to leave today, someone would have to knock my socks off. And, you know, that's what it comes down to. You have to, you know, and the one thing, again, he has a 10 team trade list. Yeah, you know, so he understood too. He's a true pro. I mean, you know, if I have to, if you get what you need, Craig, but Blake would love to stay. You know, that's who he is. And now that he's here, when I call him, he's excited. He wants to be here. You know, it just, you know, that's how those things work. You know, if it doesn't make sense, you know, Blake Coleman is such a valuable piece of this team, you know, that it would take a lot to move him along. Let's talk about the two other deals you made today. First of all, what, tell us about what you're getting in Brennan Oppen from the New York Rangers and making that deal swapping Jacob Bataglia the other way.

11:13You know, I think he's just where he is in his development. It didn't work in the Rangers. So, you know, we've been watching him and that happens. You know, I think a fresh start for him, get him out here. He's a competitive guy. You know, I don't know if you remember when he was in the World Junior. He's a guy that 22, right? Yeah, we'll do anything, you know, and he wants, and it hasn't maybe gone as well, but you understand as a player, when you maybe you're falling out of favor with an organization and you need to change. And I think this is going to be a fresh start. I mean, like I said, we're going to send him, he's going to join the Wranglers right now. We've got a lot of moving parts, right? But, you know, I see an opportunity for him to get up here and play games and that's why we got him, where I think Jacob in his development is still a little bit away. I think he's going to be a good player, but I think where we are with our prospect pool, where we want to maybe get to, you know, Othman is a little bit farther ahead right now. And we believe in him. And we do believe he's got something that he can give to the NHL level.

12:14And Ryan Strome for a seventh round pick. What, why, why, why Strome and why is he an addition that you targeted here today? You know, I think this is a, sometimes a new coach comes in, it doesn't work out. I had Joel, Joel and I had our little issues at times. Like, so I understand, I didn't talk to Ryan about this, I will when he gets here. But, you know, if it's not working out, but they have some really good young players, he got squeezed out a little bit. But if you watch where Ryan's game was a few years ago, he's a really good player. You know, he's smart, he can play in all situations, face-offs, right-handed, all those things. Now, right-handed center. Yeah, yeah. You're talking about that. You know, and that's huge for us. We don't have that. And to be able to have a guy, and then when I, you know, you talk to people that I know that have played with him and have been around him, just a really great person, like really good person. And it's weird when I talk to him on the phone, he said, hey, I want to prove a lot of people wrong.

13:14I know I haven't been in the lineup. I've been, he goes, I just can't wait to play. That's why he said he's going to do everything in his power to get here tomorrow to be able to play. Because he says, I just want to play Craig. I've been bottled up, not playing. So, and he's excited to come, and that's what you need. You need that excitement, because when he comes, he's going to bring that life to that locker room. And, you know, it's going to be hard because they've lost some of their really good friends. But it's also an opportunity, like I said. These guys are going to get a little bit more playing time when you lose big pieces like we have. It gives other guys an opportunity. Can that be the same with Oli Mata? Him and Strom, both looking at this and saying, opportunity to play here in Calgary. Absolutely. I mean, I do. I think it is. I was talking to Oli Keeman, who he went for a skate today. I'm like, you know, it's nice when guys just want to play. And that's what Oli, I want to play too. You know, it's pretty much the same message both those guys, you know, said, I want to be a part of this. I want to play, and I told him. I said, our goal is we want to get better here.

14:14We're not where we want to be. But, you know, with you guys, we're going to need their, their leadership. I mean, you know, that's, that's a big part of it too. The type of person they are. Everyone with, with Oli Mata has unbelievable things to say. And I've always loved Finns, the Kipper and, you know, Ludeman and the boys. So it just feels like you can win with guys like this. And they're coming and they understand the situation. Hey, would they want to probably in the playoffs? Yeah, but they also understand where we are. And we're going to get a great opportunity to meet each other over the next 20 games. It's going to be a quick, quick, 20. Two more for you. First of all, on, on gridden. I know that you sent him down to the American League. He'll be eligible if the Wranglers make the playoffs. Now, he has to play even, even on these transactions, hey? One game. So, so paper, because there've been some reporting out there that you could do a paper transaction and call them up the same day. But you can, so you, he has to go down and play a game. So paper transactions are period gone in, in the NHL.

15:18Gone, yeah, they're gone. They're, you know, I think it got to a point where guys would get sent up and down every day. People were manipulative. And they were on the road. So they said, hey, listen, if you're going to do this, you need to go down, play one game. Yep. And then you can come back. And that's what we're going to do with, with gridden. So I know people would probably, I was thinking, wasn't thinking about it. But then when I, someone mentioned his name, I'm like, oh, people are going to just, so he's going down for one game. Just to be eligible and then he's coming back up. So I was wrong. He will see the American League again this year. But only, only for clerical reasons. Yeah. And last one, what, what's the message now? I mean, look, it's been a tough 48 hours, Mackenzie and Nas both traded out and, and it's been a tough year. 21 games to go, you've got some young players now. There'll be more young players who get opportunities. We know that between now and the end of the regular season. Like, what, what is the message to the group? What's the message period as you head into the final quarter of the season?

16:18You know, like, one of the big things for me is, hey, this is, this is what we do for a living. And we got to come and not feel sorry for ourselves, which I don't think this team does. We want to compete every night and play as hard as we can. And show me what you have out there every night. I'm, it's an evaluation period. You know, we're trying to get better. This is not a given, you're going to be in the NHL. We got young guys coming. We have other people coming. We have new people coming in. And we want to be competitive every night. We want to be, you know, I want to see growth. I would love to see growth in some of our young players moving on the, they're going to make mistakes. I get that. But I do want to see the effort there every night. And I want to see a commitment. I mean, I saw, coolie last night was amazing. I mean, I would have loved for, you know, for him to get a win because as well as he played, it's like, wow, you know, but we, the deadline's over. This is the team that's here. You can't worry about the other stuff that's happened. You know, it's hard to say, but we all move on.

17:19When I got traded, you know, okay, you love those guys in that team, but now you're on a new team and you're there to win and play well. Appreciate the time. And now you can finally get some sleep. No, I can use it. Thanks, Connie. Appreciate it.