Nazem Kadri is no stranger to the NHL rumor mill, and once again, his name is surfacing in trade discussions. This time, the Dallas Stars are reportedly keeping a close eye on the veteran center - and there’s good reason for that.
Kadri continues to be a steady, productive presence down the middle. Through 27 games this season, he’s already put up five goals and 16 assists, totaling 21 points.
That’s right in line with the kind of offensive consistency he’s brought over the past few seasons. Last year, he hit a career-high with 35 goals and added 32 assists for 67 points - a clear reminder that even in his mid-30s, Kadri still has plenty of game left.
What makes Kadri especially appealing to a contender like Dallas isn’t just the numbers - it’s the playoff pedigree. He was a key part of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, delivering big moments when the lights were brightest.
He posted 15 points that postseason, including a hat trick in Game 4 of the second round and a stunning three-point outburst in just over two minutes in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final. And let’s not forget the overtime winner in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final - scored less than three weeks after hand surgery.
That kind of resilience and clutch production is exactly what playoff-bound teams crave.
At 35, Kadri has built a rock-solid NHL résumé. Drafted seventh overall by Toronto back in 2009, the London, Ontario native has now played over 1,000 games, racking up 312 goals and 419 assists for 731 points. He’s shown he can adapt, evolve, and still play a meaningful role on a competitive roster.
For the Stars, the interest makes a lot of sense. They’ve been one of the hottest teams in the league lately, winning nine of their last 11 games, and look every bit like a team gearing up for a deep run.
Adding Kadri would give them another experienced, versatile option at center - or even on the wing if needed. He’s not typically a winger, but he’s played there before, and Dallas could get creative with their lineup.
Whether that means shifting Wyatt Johnston or Roope Hintz to the wing or slotting Kadri in a different role, the flexibility is there.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, this could also be a reunion of sorts. If Kadri were to land in Dallas, he’d be rejoining Mikko Rantanen, his former Avalanche teammate from that Cup-winning squad. Chemistry like that doesn’t always need time to build - sometimes it just clicks right away.
At this stage of his career, Kadri brings more than just points - he brings edge, leadership, and a proven ability to perform when it matters most. For a team like Dallas, already stacked with talent and surging in the standings, he could be the kind of midseason addition that pushes them over the top.