Three New Teams Mentioned as Potential Destinations for Flames’ Nazem Kadri

Three New Teams Mentioned as Potential Destinations for Flames’ Nazem Kadri originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Nazem Kadri still has more than half of his current contract left to complete and is considered an integral piece of the Calgary Flames, but his name has been in the rumor mill steadily throughout the offseason.

Following oft-discussed potential moves to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens, three new potential destinations have emerged of late as candidates to pursue the center if he truly becomes available.

Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon added the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche to the Canadiens and the Leafs in the possible Kadri sweepstakes, making cases for all five clubs to show interest in the 34-year-old center.

While Toronto and Montreal have been the focus of earlier speculation involving Kadri, Dixon believes a broader market is forming for the veteran Stanley Cup champion, who is coming off scoring a career-high 35 goals last season.

Kadri has four years remaining on his seven-year, $49 million contract and carries an annual cap hit of $7 million. His deal, however, includes a no-move clause through the end of next season and a modified no-trade clause for the three years after that.

Kadri’s no-movement clause gives him control over any deal, and NHL insider Frank Seravalli recently downplayed the idea of a trade, saying, “It would take a heck of an offer to get Nazem Kadri out of Calgary.”

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (91) celebrates after scoring a game-winning goal.Brett Holmes-Imagn Images

Dixon mentioned the Avalanche, Kadri’s former team and the one with which he won the 2022 Stanley Cup, as a possible suitor, but they lack cap flexibility and would need to move a high-salary player to create room for Kadri.

New Jersey, with over $6 million in cap space, could fit Kadri in if a deep-roster player returns to Calgary, along with some future assets.

Finally, the Hurricanes are clearly in win-now mode and have more than $10.6 million available in cap space, making them a prime candidate to chase a deal for Kadri.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.

Three New Teams Mentioned as Potential Destinations for Flames’ Nazem Kadri

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