Flames Not Expected To Trade Nazem Kadri This Offseason

Given that many teams have struck out in their attempt to secure a top-six center this summer due to a limited market, some have turned their eyes toward Calgary Flames’ Nazem Kadri as a potential option on the trade market. Unfortunately, speaking on TSN’s First Up on Toronto 1050, Darren Dreger indicated that the Flames aren’t looking to trade Kadri just yet.

Although multiple teams are looking to add a top-six center, Kadri may be the hardest to acquire at the time being. He’s signed through the 2028-29 season at $7MM per, and has a full no-movement clause until next summer. Calgary is far likelier to explore a trade when they have some say in the matter, particularly when Kadri’s no-movement clause becomes a 13-team no-trade list in one year.

Still, it’s not hard to see why teams with their eye on contention would be interested in Kadri. After being an integral part of the Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, Kadri departed for the Flames the following summer, scoring 88 goals and 198 points in 246 games since.

Kadri has not only maintained his ability to produce points, but he has also kept up his physicality and strong possession play on a struggling team. Despite Calgary’s intentions of returning to the postseason sooner rather than later, one must consider how Kadri is interpreting the rebuild with only a few more years to add another Stanley Cup ring to his collection.

As Dreger pointed out, the Flames are much more likely to trade Kadri closer to the trade deadline. As much as his contract would have been a hindrance to competitive teams in the past, a $7MM cap hit could be manageable for most teams as the upper floor of the salary cap continues to head north.

During the early summer months, the Flames have engaged in several negotiations concerning defenseman Rasmus Andersson. If they’re out of contention by next March, Calgary could be setting itself up nicely to get quite the haul for two of the deadline’s most sought-after trade candidates.