Nazem Kadri has made a trade decision days before Friday's deadline
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Nazem Kadri invoked his no-trade list, and the Calgary Flames trade deadline plans just got tense.
Kadri is a centre plenty of contenders call about every March. This time, the calls are hitting a wall.
His contract protection shifted to a 13-team no-trade list, and the word around the league is he is actually using it.
Just days before the deadline, Kadri has not only made one decision, but several, declining teams who even try to speak to the Flames to discuss a trade.
Elliotte Friedman said Kadri has been «steadfast» sticking to the teams he blocked. That matters, because it explains why the smoke has not turned into a deal yet.
"The one thing I've heard about Kadri is, he has stuck to his list. He has 13 teams on his no-trade, and... I think there's some teams who have interest in him that he can't be traded to without his permission. And I heard he's been pretty steadfast in saying 'NO' to those situations.
So I think part of the reason you've seen nothing happen with Kadri is not because of lack of interest, but because he's (said), 'You know what, I've made a list', and so far he has stuck to it."
So I think part of the reason you've seen nothing happen with Kadri is not because of lack of interest, but because he's (said), 'You know what, I've made a list', and so far he has stuck to it."
Kadri still drives offence at a top-six pace, sitting at 12-29-41 in 59 games. He also takes the tough matchups and plays with bite.
Colorado is the obvious reunion idea because of the Cup history. But Calgary can't just take vibes back, they need real pieces and cap logic.
Kadri carries a $7 million cap hit with three more seasons after this one. Any serious bidder has to decide if it's all-in now, or too much term.
Nazem Kadri puts the Calgary Flames in a squeeze
Flames fans feel the tug-of-war here, sell smart, but don't get pushed around by a player's list.
If Kadri blocks a few interested teams, the Flames lose leverage in a hurry. Fewer bidders usually means a softer return.
Dallas and Minnesota have been linked as interested Central teams, and a few East options keep floating too. Nobody knows which clubs got the «no» so far.
From a hockey fit perspective, Kadri is a plug-and-play 2C who can run the man advantage. He wins pucks down low and makes wingers dangerous off the cycle.
From a roster angle, Calgary can ask for a young blue line piece or a first-round type package. But the cap hit might force retention, or money going back the other way.
Either way, Kadri's list turns this into a waiting game with pressure on both sides. The next Flames game will feel like an audition, not just another night.
Also read on Blade of steel :
Former 2nd overall pick placed on trade block days ahead of trade deadline
Former 2nd overall pick placed on trade block days ahead of trade deadline
| POLL | ||
MARS 4|191 ANSWERS Nazem Kadri has made a trade decision days before Friday's deadline Should Nazem Kadri waive his no-trade list for a contender? | ||
| Yes | 160 | 83.8 % |
| No | 31 | 16.2 % |
| List of polls | ||