There was appreciable noise and hypothesis surrounding Calgary Flames middle 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 purpose for them is to make the playoffs subsequent season. Conserving Kadri within the combine would assist them accomplish that purpose.
As NHLRumors.com has documented, Flames Common Supervisor Craig Conroy just isn’t seeking to transfer their primary middle. As a matter of reality, Conroy is seeking to get a quantity two middle. With the purpose being the Stanley Cup Playoffs and enhancing, why would he need to transfer out a participant like Kadri and now attempt to fill two middle 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 truly, don’t.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are looking for a second-line middle, and Nazem Kadri can be an ideal match; nevertheless, as Jimmy Murphy of RG Media explains, there may be presently little interest in Kadri.
NHL Rumors: Don’t Anticipate the Calgary Flames to Commerce Nazem Kadri
Why would the #GoHabsGo be inquisitive about 34-year previous 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 coming into his fourth-year of a seven-year contract that pays him $7 million per season. That could be a hefty worth for a staff that’s up towards the cap earlier than transferring out Carey Worth’s contract. To not point out, that is the yr the Canadiens are alleged to make the playoffs. They’re nonetheless within the strategy of drafting, growing, and constructing a gradual playoff contender.
Plus, what do the Canadiens have that the Flames would need that might hold the Flames in rivalry within the West? Just like the St. Louis Blues, who didn’t want to commerce for Kirby Dach, are the Flames desirous to get Dach in return? They would want for Nick Suzuki or a participant of that calibre. This doesn’t make sense. Not now, perhaps afterward.
New Jersey Devils
You possibly can learn extra about how Kadri suits with the Devils at DevilsNation.com. Kadri is the proper sort of participant for the Devils, particularly on the middle place. Just like the Canadiens, if the staff was a bit away from profitable the Stanley Cup at some extent, and the Flames have been keen to retain, then that may be okay. However are the Devils keen to pay Kadri $7 million a season over the following 4 seasons to play third-line middle? Sure, you’ll be able to transfer Jack Hughes to the wing, however does it make sense at the moment? To not point out, will Dawson Mercer be the piece that strikes the needle? It’s going to even be a prime 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 attention-grabbing staff. They simply signed Nikolaj Ehlers in free company and have $10 million in cap area 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 middle he has turn into.
Whereas the Hurricanes have the first-round draft choose in 2028, what else have they got that may 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 aren’t taking up Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s contract. A man that might get it executed 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 rivalry, however would the Hurricanes be keen to half with him for Kadri?
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have been in search of a substitute ever since Nazem Kadri left through free company the yr the staff gained the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It has been a revolving door on the middle 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 up 4 years at $7 million a season for Kadri. Whereas it may very well be advised 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 may very well be moved within the deal, however once more, is {that a} participant that strikes the needle for the Flames, and in that case, would he lengthen?
The Avalanche by no means wished to let Kadri go, however that they had no alternative, being up towards the cap. If that they had the benefit the Florida Panthers did of a rising cap, then perhaps 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. Individuals weren’t happy that he acquired suspended on the incorrect 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 rivalry. Now, Treliving did get one among his former gamers through free company in Chris Tanev. Nonetheless, the commerce items aren’t there and Calgary isn’t retaining cash in any of the offers.
NHL Rumors: Ought to the Toronto Maple Leafs Nonetheless be Trying to Make a Large Transfer?
Once more, the Calgary Flames don’t have any plans on buying and selling Nazem Kadri. Exterior of the 5 doable commerce locations, there is just one that might work. However once more, Calgary needs gamers in return to assist them stay aggressive. Proper now, all of the Kadri speak is theory. Let’s see how this performs out because the seasons roll on.
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