Nazem Kadri reportedly ready to greenlight a trade to the right team

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Graham Montgomery
July 20, 2024 (9:45 PM)

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According to a new rumor, the Calgary Flames could be parting ways with Nazem Kadri just two years into the massive deal that he signed with the team.

Kadri first joined the Flames ahead of the 2022-23 season after he signed a seven-year contract with the club that carries and average-annual-value of 7 million dollars. Surely, when Kadri and the team agreed to that deal, they did not expect the wheels to fall off the bus with the team missing the playoffs in consecutive years. Now that the team is in a very different position, it would seem reasonable for them to move a player like Kadri. After all, they are unlikely to make the playoffs in the next couple of seasons, especially after trading players like Chris Tanev, Nikita Zadorov, and Elias Lindholm. As such, NHL insider David Pagnotta has revealed that the team is 'willing to explore the possibility,' of trading the 33-year-old.

"He's out there... The Flames are willing to explore that possibility. My understanding with respect to (Kadri) is that he's willing to waive (the no-move clause) for the right situation. I think he would welcome a return to Colorado."

One team Pagnotta linked Kadri to is his former club, the Colorado Avalanche. Kadri famously won the Stanley Cup with Colorado the year before he signed in Calgary, eventually leading to him getting his ring in Calgary.

Nazem Kadri (@43_Kadri) is a #StanleyCup champion! 🙌

Stanley Cup Champion Nazem Kadri 😍

Kadri winning the cup became a historic moment as he became the first ever Muslim player to have his name etched into the trophy. Similarly, when Kadri enjoyed his day with the cup, he brought it to a Toronto area mosque, marking the first time the famous silver cup had ever been in a Muslim place of worship.

NHL champion Nazem Kadri brings the Stanley Cup to his local mosque and celebrates the win with the community that always backed him #TheMoment

Unfortunately though, with the Avalanche up against the cap, as Pagnotta points out, a reunion with the Avs is not particularly likely. Pagnotta did hint however, that he would be open to moving closer to where he grew up in London Ontario. Given how cold the Flames have been with the Leafs, a trade with Toronto seems unlikely, so perhaps he could end up on a team like Ottawa or Buffalo. Only time will tell.