Report: Nazem Kadri was nearly dealt to the Colorado Avalanche

With less than 24 hours until the NHL Trade Deadline, the market is on fire with trades and rumours. The Calgary Flames have made one trade so far, moving MacKenzie Weegar to Utah, but players like Blake Coleman, Ryan Lomberg and Nazem Kadri. Today, Nick Kypreos reported that the team nearly had a deal to send Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche, but it was opposed by the team’s ownership group.

Elliotte Friedman reported the same in this week’s written 32 Thoughts:

Murray Edwards is actively involved in the Calgary Flames’ business

This report should not surprise anyone. Murray Edwards has reportedly been very involved in the team’s business, even moreso than most owners around the league.

In this case, the issue likely came down to retention. The Colorado Avalanche are tight to the cap this year, and with a pending Cale Makar extension, likely in the future as well. They would need the Flames to withhold money on the remainder of Kadri’s deal. This would likely have sent another draft pick or prospect back to the Flames, but it seems like Edwards and the ownership group opposed this move.

Colorado then pivoted, acquiring former Toronto Maple Leafs centreman Nicolas Roy instead. He was originally dealt to Toronto in the move for Mitch Marner’s signing rights last summer.

With one day left until the deadline, it will be interesting to see if a Nazem Kadri trade transpires. Montreal has been reported to be interested in him, and it would make sense for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Minnesota Wild as well.

We’ll see if they can make something happen in the next 24 hours.

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