Nazem Kadri’s name is starting to swirl in trade talks again, and with the NHL’s deadline creeping closer, the veteran center is drawing interest from teams looking to bolster their lineups for a playoff push. Kadri, currently in his second season with the Calgary Flames, is under contract through 2029 on a seven-year, $49 million deal signed in August 2022. That deal includes a modified no-trade clause allowing him to block trades to 13 teams - a factor that could shape how this all unfolds.
While Calgary hasn’t made any public declarations, the buzz around Kadri is real. He’s a proven playoff performer, a gritty, experienced center who can still drive play and chip in offensively - all qualities that contenders covet this time of year. And with the Flames hovering around the middle of the pack, they may be at a crossroads between pushing for the postseason or retooling for the future.
One team that’s emerged in the conversation? The Montreal Canadiens.
NHL insider Darren Dreger recently floated the Habs as a potential fit. Montreal is still hanging around the playoff race, but more importantly, they’re building something long-term.
Their prospect pool is loaded - young talent like Michael Hage is waiting in the wings - but integrating those players into a competitive NHL lineup takes time and patience. Kadri could be a bridge between the present and the future.
Dreger laid it out clearly: if Kadri continues to play well over the next couple of seasons, he could give Montreal a steady, veteran presence down the middle while players like Hage develop. That kind of transitional role could be key for a team trying to walk the line between staying competitive now and building for tomorrow.
“Maybe that’s a real nice transition window,” Dreger said, pointing to a scenario where Kadri helps ease the pressure on young centers stepping into the NHL spotlight. It’s not just about what Kadri brings today - it’s about what his presence allows others to become.
But Montreal isn’t the only team reportedly keeping tabs on Kadri.
The Detroit Red Wings have also been linked to the 33-year-old center. On a recent episode of the DFO Rundown, insider Jason Gregor and former NHLer Mike Rupp discussed how Kadri could fit into a Red Wings team that’s starting to look like a legitimate playoff threat.
Rupp didn’t hold back in his assessment, saying Kadri would be a “phenomenal add” for Detroit. The Wings have a strong blue line and a promising young core, but adding a battle-tested, playoff-savvy center like Kadri could be the kind of move that pushes them from playoff hopefuls to serious contenders.
“It would be nice to have a Kadri option in there,” Rupp said. “This kind of feels like that year… this is a playoff team through and through.”
Kadri’s playoff résumé speaks for itself. He’s got the edge, the experience, and the kind of two-way game that makes him a valuable piece when the stakes get higher. For a team like Detroit - young, talented, and ready to take the next step - that kind of presence down the middle could be a difference-maker.
Through 48 games this season, Kadri has posted eight goals and 25 assists, though his -18 plus-minus reflects some of Calgary’s broader struggles. Still, those numbers show he’s contributing offensively, and his leadership and compete level remain assets.
As the trade deadline draws near, Kadri’s name is one to watch. Whether it’s Montreal, Detroit, or another team looking to shore up its center depth, there’s no question that he brings value - both on the ice and in the room. The only question now is where he’ll be skating when the postseason begins.