Nazem Kadri is at the center of trade discussions as the Calgary Flames continue their rebuild. The star center has expressed a desire to join a contender, and this has turned speculation into concrete trade talks, as confirmed by insider Darren Dreger.
The Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild have been linked to Kadri, but Craig Button of TSN suggests that two Pacific Division teams, the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers, should be in the mix to acquire him. Button emphasizes the impact Kadri could have, especially during playoff time, despite the challenges posed by his salary and contract term.
Kadri, now 35, is in the fourth year of a seven-year, $49 million deal with the Flames. This season, he's posted 39 points, with 10 goals and 29 assists in 56 games.
The idea of Kadri joining the Oilers is particularly intriguing, given the fierce rivalry between the two Alberta teams. However, several hurdles exist, including Edmonton's cap space limitations and the substantial return package that Flames GM Craig Conroy would likely demand from Oilers GM Stan Bowman. This could involve moving contracts like Andrew Mangiapane's or Adam Henrique's, along with potential salary retention by Calgary.
Despite these obstacles, the Oilers might still have a shot at landing Kadri. If successful, this acquisition could significantly bolster their secondary scoring, providing much-needed support behind stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.