Nazem Kadri’s name is starting to make the rounds in trade chatter, and it’s not without reason. With the Calgary Flames sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings and the March deadline creeping closer, contending teams are doing their homework on the veteran center. According to reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings have all shown interest in the 35-year-old.
Kadri’s situation is a bit complex. He’s signed through the 2028-29 season with a $7 million cap hit and holds a 13-team no-trade list, giving him significant control over where he could land.
That said, it sounds like both Kadri and the Flames are open to finding a solution that works for both sides. Kadri wants to help the Flames navigate their rebuild - but he’s also looking to chase another Stanley Cup.
That’s the kind of dual motivation that tends to heat up trade talks this time of year.
The Flames have already signaled their intent to sell, shipping defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Golden Knights just days ago. Kadri, meanwhile, has quietly been one of Calgary’s most productive players this season, leading the team with 34 points in 49 games. For a club desperate for offense and experience down the middle, he’s a compelling option.
Kadri’s resume speaks for itself: a 17-year NHL veteran, a Stanley Cup champion with Colorado in 2022, and a player who’s averaged 25 goals and 34 assists per 82 games over his career. He spent a decade in Toronto, then three seasons with the Avalanche before signing his current deal with Calgary - a deal inked by then-Flames GM Brad Treliving, who now happens to be running the show in Toronto. That connection is worth noting, though it’s also clear the Leafs and Avs aren’t exactly hurting for help at center right now.
Montreal and Los Angeles, however, are in a different boat. The Kings have been without captain Anze Kopitar since early January due to injury and already sent Phillip Danault back to Montreal in December. That move left a noticeable hole in their top six, and Kadri could be a stabilizing presence for a team trying to stay in the playoff mix.
As for the Canadiens, Kadri would be more than just a sentimental fit - though it’s worth mentioning he grew up a Habs fan. With Oliver Kapanen currently holding down the second-line center spot, Kadri would be a clear upgrade and bring a veteran presence to a young Montreal roster. Danault’s return helps their bottom six, but Kadri could elevate the group in a much more meaningful way.
There’s no deal imminent, but there’s clearly smoke here. Kadri’s production, experience, and competitive fire make him a valuable piece for a playoff contender - and with Calgary looking ahead to the future, the clock may be ticking on his time in Alberta.