There was appreciable noise and hypothesis surrounding Calgary Flames heart Nazem Kadri. This hypothesis goes again to final season. Nonetheless, with the Flames ending with 96 factors a season in the past, simply lacking out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the aim for them is to make the playoffs subsequent season. Conserving Kadri within the combine would assist them accomplish that aim.
As NHLRumors.com has documented, Flames Normal Supervisor Craig Conroy shouldn’t be seeking to transfer their primary heart. As a matter of truth, Conroy is seeking to get a quantity two heart. With the aim being the Stanley Cup Playoffs and bettering, why would he need to transfer out a participant like Kadri and now attempt to fill two heart positions when the middle market is skinny as it’s.
However that has not stopped the hypothesis and potential commerce prospects. As NHLRumors.com not too long ago printed through Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet, he checked out 5 potential commerce locations for Nazem Kadri. We’re going to look at these commerce locations and clarify why, in concept, they make sense, however genuinely, don’t.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are looking for a second-line heart, and Nazem Kadri could be an ideal match; nevertheless, as Jimmy Murphy of RG Media explains, there may be presently little interest in Kadri.
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Why would the #GoHabsGo be curious about 34-year outdated Nazem Kadri?@MurphysLaw74: “Speaking to a staff supply with the Canadiens… there’s no curiosity there proper now”#thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro pic.twitter.com/mydJVKlhGr
— The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) July 16, 2025
It doesn’t make sense what the Canadiens are constructing. Kadri is getting into his fourth-year of a seven-year contract that pays him $7 million per season. That may be a hefty value for a staff that’s up in opposition to the cap earlier than shifting out Carey Value’s contract. To not point out, that is the yr the Canadiens are purported to make the playoffs. They’re nonetheless within the means of drafting, creating, and constructing a gentle playoff contender.
Plus, what do the Canadiens have that the Flames would need that would hold the Flames in competition within the West? Much like the St. Louis Blues, who didn’t want to commerce for Kirby Dach, are the Flames eager to get Dach in return? They would want for Nick Suzuki or a participant of that calibre. This doesn’t make sense. Not now, possibly afterward.
New Jersey Devils
You may learn extra about how Kadri suits with the Devils at DevilsNation.com. Kadri is the right kind of participant for the Devils, particularly on the heart place. Much like the Canadiens, if the staff was a bit away from successful the Stanley Cup at some extent, and the Flames had been prepared to retain, then that will be okay. However are the Devils prepared to pay Kadri $7 million a season over the subsequent 4 seasons to play third-line heart? Sure, you possibly can transfer Jack Hughes to the wing, however does it make sense right now? To not point out, will Dawson Mercer be the piece that strikes the needle? It is going to even be a high prospect, in addition to one other participant or choose. Bear in mind, the Flames need to stay aggressive.
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Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are an fascinating staff. They only signed Nikolaj Ehlers in free company and have $10 million in cap house and will tackle the entire wage. GM Eric Tulsky has been aggressive this offseason, buying Okay’Andre Miller. Including Kadri would give the Hurricanes depth down the center. Kadri would slot in behind Sebastian Aho turning the veteran Jordan Staal into the third-line heart he has change into.
Whereas the Hurricanes have the first-round draft choose in 2028, what else have they got that will be engaging for the Flames to maneuver Kadri to Carolina? Logan Stankoven, whom the Hurricanes acquired within the Mikko Rantanen commerce, is signed up long-term. Jackson Blake simply signed a brand new long-term deal to remain in Carolina. The Flames usually are not taking over Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s contract. A man that would get it carried out is Seth Jarvis. He makes $7,420,087 a season and is in yr two of a seven-year deal. Oh, and he doesn’t have commerce safety for a few extra seasons. Jarvis retains the Flames in playoff competition, however would the Hurricanes be prepared to half with him for Kadri?
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have been on the lookout for a substitute ever since Nazem Kadri left through free company the yr the staff received the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It has been a revolving door on the heart place for the Avalanche. First, it was Casey Mittelstadt who didn’t work. Most not too long ago, it was Brock Nelson. The jury continues to be out on Nelson as a result of he was there for the final 10-15 video games of the season.
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The Avalanche simply signed Nelson to a three-year contract extension at $7.5 million per yr. Which means they’d be taking over 4 years at $7 million a season for Kadri. Whereas it could possibly be steered that Nelson may go to the wing as soon as Kadri arrives, how can the Avalanche make all this cash work with Cale Makar and Martin Necas due new extensions? Now, Necas could possibly be moved within the deal, however once more, is {that a} participant that strikes the needle for the Flames, and if that’s the case, would he lengthen?
The Avalanche by no means wished to let Kadri go, however that they had no selection, being up in opposition to the cap. If that they had the benefit the Florida Panthers did of a rising cap, then possibly he’s nonetheless in Colorado.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Looks as if each participant is linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kadri is a Brad Treliving-type participant, however Kadri was run out of city because of the fan base and media in Toronto. Folks weren’t happy that he acquired suspended on the flawed time within the sequence. Kadri performs with an edge that’s essential to win the playoffs. Simply have a look at Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand wth the Panthers.
The Leafs traded Kadri to Colorado and Tyson Barrie and Alexander Kerfoot as a part of the return. Nonetheless, the Maple Leafs don’t have the draft picks to make it work, nor the gamers to maintain Calgary in competition. Now, Treliving did get certainly one of his former gamers through free company in Chris Tanev. Nonetheless, the commerce items usually are not there and Calgary isn’t retaining cash in any of the offers.
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Once more, the Calgary Flames haven’t any plans on buying and selling Nazem Kadri. Exterior of the 5 doable commerce locations, there is just one that would work. However once more, Calgary needs gamers in return to assist them stay aggressive. Proper now, all of the Kadri speak is concept. Let’s see how this performs out because the seasons roll on.
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