There was appreciable noise and hypothesis surrounding Calgary Flames heart Nazem Kadri. This hypothesis goes again to final season. Nevertheless, 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 trying to transfer their primary heart. As a matter of truth, Conroy is trying to get a quantity two heart. With the aim being the Stanley Cup Playoffs and bettering, why would he wish 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 potentialities. As NHLRumors.com not too long ago printed by way of 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 in fact, don’t.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are looking for a second-line heart, and Nazem Kadri can be an ideal match; nonetheless, as Jimmy Murphy of RG Media explains, there may be at present little interest in Kadri.
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Why would the #GoHabsGo be involved in 34-year outdated Nazem Kadri?@MurphysLaw74: “Speaking to a workforce supply with the Canadiens… there’s no curiosity there proper now”#thesickpodcast @TonyMarinaro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 may be a hefty worth for a workforce that’s up towards the cap earlier than transferring out Carey Worth’s contract. To not point out, that is the 12 months the Canadiens are purported 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 would preserve 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, perhaps afterward.
New Jersey Devils
You’ll be able to learn extra about how Kadri matches with the Devils at DevilsNation.com. Kadri is the proper kind of participant for the Devils, particularly on the heart place. Much like the Canadiens, if the workforce was a chunk away from successful the Stanley Cup at a degree, and the Flames had 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 heart? Sure, you possibly can 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 is going to even be a high prospect, in addition to one other participant or decide. Bear in mind, the Flames wish to stay aggressive.
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Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are an fascinating workforce. They simply 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 Ok’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 turn into.
Whereas the Hurricanes have the first-round draft decide in 2028, what else have they got that may be attractive for the Flames to maneuver Kadri to Carolina? Logan Stankoven, whom the Hurricanes obtained 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 will not be 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 12 months 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 keen to half with him for Kadri?
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have been in search of a substitute ever since Nazem Kadri left by way of free company the 12 months the workforce 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 remains 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 12 months. Which means they’d be taking over 4 years at $7 million a season for Kadri. Whereas it may very well be urged 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 needed to let Kadri go, however that they had no selection, 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 like each participant is linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kadri is a Brad Treliving-type participant, however Kadri was run out of city due to the fan base and media in Toronto. Individuals weren’t happy that he obtained suspended on the flawed time within the collection. 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. Nevertheless, 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 by way of free company in Chris Tanev. Nevertheless, the commerce items will not be there and Calgary isn’t retaining cash in any of the offers.
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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 would work. However once more, Calgary needs gamers in return to assist them stay aggressive. Proper now, all of the Kadri discuss is theory. Let’s see how this performs out because the seasons roll on.
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