There is a lot of noise and guesswork around Nazem Kadri, the center of Calgary flame. This speculation can be traced back to last season. However, with the Flames finishing with a 96-point run a season ago, only missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs, their goal is to make the playoffs next season. Putting Kadri together will help them achieve this.
As NHLrumors.com records, Flames General Manager Craig Conroy doesn’t want to move their first center. In fact, Conroy hopes to finish second. The goal is Stanley Cup playoffs and progress, why did he move out players like Cardari, and now try to fill two central positions when the central market is scarce.
But that doesn’t stop speculation and potential trade possibilities. As NHLrumors.com recently published through SportsNet’s Ryan Dixon, he looked at five potential trade destinations for Nazem Kadri. We will look at these trade destinations and explain why they make sense in theory, but in reality they don’t.
Montreal Canadian
Montreal Canadians are looking for a second-tier center and Nazem Kadri will be the perfect choice. But, as Jimmy Murphy of RG Media explains, there is no interest in Kadri at the moment.
NHL Rumor: Don’t Forecast Calgary Flames Trade Nazem Kadri
Why #Gohabsgo Interested in 34-year-old Nazem Kadri?@murphyslaw74: “Talking with Canadians’ team sources…no interest right now”#thesickpodcast @tonymarinaro pic.twitter.com/mydjvklhgr
– Sick podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) July 16, 2025
There is no point in what Canadians are building. Kadri is signing his fourth grade for a seven-year contract, paying him $7 million each season. The price is high for a team that competes with CAP before moving out of Carey Price’s contract. Not to mention, this is the year that Canadians should enter the playoffs. They are still drawing, developing and building a stable playoff contender.
Also, what can Canadians have where the flames can keep the battle in the West? Similar to St. Louis Blues, who doesn’t want to trade Kirby Dach, does the Flame want Dach to get a reward? They want Nick Suzuki or a player in that caliber. This makes no sense. Not now, maybe in the future.
New Jersey Devil
You can learn more about how Kadri fits the devil on devilsnation.com. Kadri is the ideal player for the devil, especially in the center position. Similar to the Canadians, if the team is a fraction of the distance from winning the Stanley Cup and the flames are willing to keep it, that’s OK. But will the Devil be willing to pay $7 million per season per season to play third-tier centers over the next four seasons? Yes, you can move Jack Hughes to the wing, but does it make sense for the moment? Not to mention, will Dawson Mercer become the work of moving needles? This will also be the highest prospect, with other players or draft picks. Remember, Flame wants to stay competitive.
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Carolina Hurricane
The Carolina Hurricane is an interesting team. They just signed Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency and have $10 million in salary space and can afford the entire salary. GM Eric Tulsky took an aggressive attack in the offseason to acquire K’andre Miller. Plus, Kadri will give the hurricane depths in the middle. Kadri will enter behind Sebastian Aho to turn veteran Jordan Staal into the third-tier center he has become.
While the Hurricanes won a first-round draft pick in 2028, what else can they have to lure the Flames to move Cardry to Carolina? Logan Stankoven in Hurricane has signed a long-term contract. Jackson Blake has just signed a new long-term deal to stay in Carolina. Flame did not assume the contract for Jesperi Kotkaniemi. One person who can complete the task is Seth Jarvis. He made $7,420,087 per season, the second year of a seven-year contract. Oh, he has no trade protections for several seasons. Jarvis keeps the flames in the playoff debate, but will the Hurricanes be willing to break up with him with Kadri?
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche has been looking for a replacement since Nazem Kadri won the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is the revolving door at the center of the avalanche. First, Casey Mittelstadt is not working. Recently, it was Brock Nelson. The jury is still out at Nelson as he is there in the last 10-15 games of the season.
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Avalanche just signed Nelson’s three-year contract extension for $7.5 million a year. This means they will be participating for Kadri for $7 million per season for four years. While it can be suggested that Nelson can go to the wing once Cadri arrives, how can the avalanche make all that money work with Cale Makar and Martin Necas? Now, NECAS can move in the trade, but again, is a player who moves the needle toward the flame, if so, will he extend?
The Avalanche never wanted to let Kadri go, but they had no choice but to lean on their hats. If they have the advantage of the Florida Panthers, it is the hat-rise hat, then maybe he is still in Colorado.
Toronto maple leaves
It seems that every player is linked to Toronto Maple Leaf. Kadri is a Brad Treliving player, but Kadri was eliminated due to Toronto’s fan base and media. People were not satisfied with his suspension at the wrong time in the series. Kadri played the advantage, which was necessary to win the playoffs. Just look at Panthers’ Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand.
Leaf trades Kadri to Colorado, with Tyson Barrie and Alexander Kerfoot as part of the return. However, Maple Leafs have no draft pick to make it work, and no players keep Calgary’s scramble. Now, Treliving does get one of his former players through Chris Tanev’s free agent. However, trade is not there, and Calgary does not keep money in any transactions.
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Again, Calgary Flames has no plans to trade Nazm Kadri. Beyond the five possible trade destinations, only one can work. But again, Calgary hopes players’ rewards help them stay competitive. At present, all Kadri conversations are speculation. Let’s see how this works as the season starts.
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