The Calgary Flames continue sitting at the bottom of the standings with no realistic path to playoff contention. Management has made it clear they’re listening to offers on veteran players, and Nazem Kadri remains one of the most attractive trade targets available.
The forward has generated significant buzz around the league, given his combination of skill and playoff pedigree. While fans continue to speculate which team will snag him, a prominent insider has recently identified the franchises pursuing the Flames forward most aggressively.
Insider Names Three Teams Circling Nazem Kadri
With the Flames entertaining trade talks, Kadri remains a hot name on their list. He brings championship experience, having won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022. His physical edge and ability to perform in high-pressure situations make him an ideal addition for contending teams.
Insider David Pagnotta addressed Kadri’s trade market during an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek. The reporter identified multiple heavyweight franchises monitoring the veteran center’s availability.
“The two teams that I was told to just keep tabs on around Nazem Kadri were the Habs, which we know, and the Florida Panthers,” Pagnotta revealed. “That was an interesting one for me.”
The Montreal connection has been well-documented, given Kadri’s roots in the province. However, the Panthers’ emerging as suitors adds an intriguing wrinkle. Florida could pair Kadri with their championship core as they defend back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
Pagnotta noted a potential Kadri deal might not happen immediately. “I don’t know if that’s something that would happen in season. This might be something later on,” he cautioned.
The insider then identified a third team with a longstanding interest in Kadri. “There’s another team that’s been around Kadri for a while now. Last year, it couldn’t happen, so they went out and got Marcus Granlund, and that’s the Dallas Stars,” Pagnotta reported.
The Stars have consistently sought players with an edge to their game. “The Dallas Stars have always looked for someone a little bit snarlier,” Pagnotta explained.
He drew comparisons to Dallas’s previous pursuit of Mathieu Olivier from Columbus. “They’ve looked for players with some bite, and I think they’ve been around Kadri and Andersson, for that matter, for a couple of seasons now,” the insider added.
Pagnotta couldn’t resist imagining the storylines a Kadri-to-Dallas trade would create. “Nazem Kadri with the Dallas Stars against the Colorado Avalanche, though, is pretty juicy,” he said excitedly. “Add him to the mix with Rantanen. That picks up again the storyline from last playoffs.”
The insider also confirmed Dallas has explored other Calgary players. “I had heard earlier this season that they checked in on Blake Coleman. Another good guy with a little bit of snarl, not afraid to get dirty,” Pagnotta revealed.
Kadri carries a seven-year, $49 million contract signed in 2022. His $7 million cap hit runs through 2028-29. The 35-year-old center has recorded 21 points through 27 games this season despite Calgary’s struggles.
Whether Calgary moves Kadri before the deadline depends on which team presents the most compelling package of young players and draft picks.
