Ever since the Calgary Flames fell out of playoff contention in 2023, it’s been an ongoing conversation of what to do with Nazem Kadri.
The 34-year-old, who will be 35 when next season begins, has played three years with the Flames since winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche. And he’s shown no signs of slowing down. He’s also got four more years left on his deal at a $7 million cap hit.
In three years, Kadri has averaged 29 goals, 37 assists, and 66 points while appearing in all 82 games each season. He also had a career high 35 goals last year in his 16th season, while playing 19:21 per game. That, also, is a career best.
Kadri has 11 months left of deciding his own fate. Next July, his full no-move clause shifts to a 13-team no-trade clause. That means the veteran center has less than a year to work with the Flames on a trade if he wants to completely decide where his next destination is.
There are no rumors connecting Kadri to the Avs. And for good reason. The team acquired Brock Nelson last March and signed him to a three-year contract in June. He’s the No. 2 center.
But, Sportsnet’s senior writer Ryan Dixon still believes a Kadri reunion with the Avs makes sense. Dixon wrote about five destinations that make logical sense for the Stanley Cup champion, and the Avs were among them.
They aren’t as good a match as teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens, though.
Dixon noted that if Martin Necas is still available and an option to be moved, the Avs should entertain a trade that involves him and Kadri, if Necas is willing to commit to Southern Alberta. If that’s the case, I’d imagine the Avs would receive another piece to make the trade worthwhile, given the age of both Necas and Kadri.
In this scenario, Dixon says Nelson could then shift to the Wing, giving the Avs three center options in the top six while also returning to a duo of Nathan MacKinnon and Kadri down the middle. This would also mean the Avs’ entire top six would be over the age of 30.
It would probably make more sense to put Nelson on the third line in this made up scenario. And have a stronger center core while sacrificing talent on the wing. But it’s still not the best fit.
I don’t by any means think this is the most logical choice for Kadri, if he were to be dealt.
And more importantly, I don’t feel like the Avs should use Necas on an almost 35-year-old if they actually do move him. The team needs an injection of youth in their forward group and Necas provides that. If he doesn’t sign, he should be dealt for someone else that fits the bill.
