With the Calgary Flames now being 2-8-1 to start the season, the trade noise surrounding the team is only going to get louder. Nazem Kadri’s name has been popping up in trade rumors for about a year now, but it seems like, as of recently, the noise is getting louder than ever.
This is because Kadri’s NMC has officially changed to a 13-team no-trade list this season. As a result, more options have opened up for a potential trade, as 18 teams are now eligible to become the new home for the 35-year-old. We know that Kadri’s main goal is to get back into the playoffs, so a contender would likely be on his radar. Many teams could fit that criteria, but one team has been mentioned frequently as a potential fit, and that’s the Carolina Hurricanes.
Why a Kadri trade makes all the sense in the world
At this point in his career, Kadri isn’t going to get many chances to win another Stanley Cup. While he has expressed his love for Calgary and the Flames organization, the team needs to prioritize the future.
The centre market this season is looking bleak, making Kadri the best potential option available. Therefore, the Flames need to capitalize on the situation they’re in. While Kadri has been a great Flame, I’m sure he’d rather be playing meaningful games in the postseason, something Calgary can’t offer him right now.
With Kadri’s trade conditions changing, the Flames will now have more options. If the team makes him officially available, there’s potential for a substantial bidding war among interested parties. Any contender would love to add a dynamic second-line centre like Kadri. He’s aged well and would fit beautifully down the middle in a contender’s lineup.
Why the Hurricanes could be a fit
The Hurricanes immediately stand out as a fit for Kadri. They’re currently 6-3-0 to start the season, and are once again expected to be contenders coming out of the East. While the Hurricanes are a strong regular-season team, their struggles seem to get exposed come playoff time. Could Kadri be the piece that pushes them over the edge?
Kadri would immediately strengthen the Hurricanes down the middle. As of right now, their second-line centre is Logan Stankoven. While he’s a great player, he’s only 22, and being a full-time second-line centre full-time is a lot to ask from a young player.
Hurricanes’ forward lineup via PuckPedia
Ehlers – Aho – Jarvis
Hall – Stankoven – Blake
Svechnikov – Staal – Martinook
Jankowksi – Kotkaniemi – Nadeau
Imagine adding Kadri to this lineup? To be totally honest, with Kadri added as their second-line centre, this team would be scary. After all, Kadri gets to go somewhere where he can compete and hopefully win another Cup before he hangs up the skates.
How would a Kadri trade to Carolina work?
The good thing about the Hurricanes is that they currently have approximately $8 million in cap space. Kadri currently has an AAV of $7 million, so the Hurricanes could trade for his contract as is, but retention would be likely. If the Flames trade Kadri with 50% of his salary retained, the Hurricanes would be acquiring him at $3.5 million for three more years. Not too shabby, especially with the cap skyrocketing over the next few seasons.
Now, with that being said, let’s take a look at what assets the Hurricanes have that would potentially interest the Flames in a Kadri trade:
What would the Flames want in return?
Draft picks
The Hurricanes currently don’t own their 2026 first-round pick, as that was used to acquire K’Andre Miller. However, they do possess Dallas’ 2026 first from the Mikko Rantanen trade. As for 2027, the Hurricanes have their own first and second-round picks.
A first would have to be the starting point for Kadri. You’d have to think that the Flames either target one in 2026 or 2027. Either way, the Hurricanes are in a position to contend and should consider trading draft picks for win-now pieces.
Prospects
This is where things get kind of tough. The Hurricanes don’t have any notable true blue-chip prospects, but I’m not sure it’s realistic for the Flames to ask for a top prospect for Kadri. Some prospects that stand out to me are Nikita Artamonov, Ivan Ryabkin, Bradly Nadeau and Kurban Limatov, among others.
I’m sure the Flames would like to get some young players to add to their pipeline, but it’s unlikely the Hurricanes would part with one of their top prospects. Crazier things have happened though, especially when teams get desperate.
Roster players
The Hurricanes don’t have many roster players whom I can see the Flames having deep interest in. The only player that stands out to me is Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the former second-overall pick in 2018.
Kotkaniemi, while still young, hasn’t exactly lived up to his draft position. It’s safe to say that at this point he is a bust, but he’s still an effective NHL player when given the right role. The Hurricanes currently have him as their fourth-line centre, so it makes sense they’d look to offload him to bring in Kadri.
A downside is that Kotkaniemi is currently on year four of an eight-year deal paying him $4.82 million per season. Would the Flames want to bring in a player who’s underperformed throughout his entire career, carrying that much term and money? I’m not convinced.
Final thoughts
As the Flames continue to struggle, the possibility of a Kadri trade increases. I see the Hurricanes as a great fit for him, as he would be joining a competitive environment once again. The point is that the Flames need to cash in on Kadri’s value. They’d be extremely foolish not to.
Trade-wise, I’d prefer if the Flames got only picks and prospects in return. Time will tell whether Kadri remains a Flame or not, but the idea of leaving Calgary will become more attractive as the team keeps on struggling.
