The NHL trade market is waking up, and once again, Nazem Kadri is right in the middle of the storm.
If you’ve been following the Calgary Flames closely this season, you know the situation is delicate. We have a veteran center who can still drive play and agitate opponents like few others, but he’s stuck in a retooling phase that doesn’t align with his timeline. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the phone lines are officially open. Discussions are happening between Flames GM Craig Conroy and Kadri’s camp, and while nothing is imminent, the list of suitors is fascinating.
Dreger reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and Dallas Stars have all engaged in some level of “tire-kicking.”
Why this matters now: Kadri wants to win another Stanley Cup. He’s 35, he’s still producing, but that $7 million cap hit through 2028-29 is a massive hurdle. However, for teams desperate for grit down the middle, he might be the missing piece.
Let’s dive into what this actually looks like for the Flames.
Analyzing the 5 Teams Linked to a Kadri Trade
When I look at this list of five teams, a few things jump out at me immediately. First, the Colorado Avalanche connection is the most romantic. Kadri was a beast for them during their Cup run. They know exactly what he brings—that swagger, that clutch scoring, and the edge that pushes teams over the top. If the Avs can make the money work (and that’s a big “if”), that’s a reunion that terrifies the rest of the Central Division.
Then you have the Toronto Maple Leafs. I know, I know—Kadri returning to Toronto feels like fan fiction sometimes. But let’s be honest: the Leafs have arguably never replaced the specific type of heart-and-soul grit Kadri brought, despite his suspension issues in the playoffs back in the day. Would he waive his no-trade clause to go back home? almost certainly. Can Toronto afford him? That’s a math problem that likely requires Calgary to retain salary, which drives the acquisition cost way up.
The Montreal Canadiens are the outlier here. They aren’t in “win-now” mode the same way Dallas or Colorado are. This screams “culture setter” to me. If the Habs want Kadri, it’s to insulate their young core and teach them how to compete when the games get nasty.
The Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings represent pure hockey trades. These are contenders looking to shore up center depth for a brutal Western Conference playoff bracket. Kadri fits the Stars’ heavy style of play perfectly, and LA has been searching for the right mix down the middle for years.
The reality for Calgary Flames fans is that Conroy holds good cards here. He doesn’t have to trade Kadri. There is no rush. But if a team gets desperate—say, after an injury—that “tire-kicking” could turn into a first-round pick and a prospect very quickly.
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