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A long-rumored Montreal Canadiens trade target could have just become available, according to a notable insider.
A long-rumored Montreal Canadiens trade target could have just become available on the market. Chatter has begun to circulate, positing that one of Montreal’s ideal center options could be amenable to a move.
That center is Calgary Flames veteran Nazem Kadri.
As David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period mused, Kadri’s camp has informed the Flames that he’s open to a trade. While he has not requested one, he’s open to the possibility of one.
That’s great news for Canadiens fans. The Habs have been one of the teams purportedly in the running for the 35-year-old this season. The chatter in Montreal has focused on the club’s need for depth down the middle.
The addition of Phillip Danault earlier this season helped ease the urgency for another center. Plus, the emergence of Oliver Kapanen has also gone a long way towards diffusing the need for more help down the middle.
But now that Kadri could be willing to move, the Canadiens have an opportunity to land the sort of veteran depth pieces they have been seeking.
Kadri has nine goals and 35 points in 52 games this season. While hardly on pace for career-highs, this season has been an overall disappointing one for the Flames. So, there’s always the chance that moving to a young, dynamic team like the Canadiens could kickstart Kadri’s scoring.
It’s worth pointing out that the former Toronto Maple Leafs first-round pick from 2009 won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. That’s the sort of pedigree the Canadiens will be looking to tap into by adding Kadri.
Price Tag Remains Unclear on Kadri
As for the price tag on Kadri, that largely depends on the Flames retaining salary. Naturally, if suitors ask the Flames to retain, the price tag would go up. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the asking price include a first-round pick.
That may be a steep price for the Canadiens to pay. But if the deal did not include retention, the price could come down. That would be a preferable course of action. However, the Habs don’t have a ton of cap space at the moment.
PuckPedia shows the Canadiens have less than $100K in cap space at the moment. Nevertheless, that situation could be remedied by placing someone like Patrik Laine on LTIR. Doing so would free up $3.8 million in cap space. That might be just enough to land Kadri on the Habs’ roster for the remainder of the season.
Canadiens May Take Their Time with Kadri
The Canadiens got a welcome boost with the returns of Jake Evans and Kirby Dach to the lineup. Both were out with assorted injuries. Their return adds to the club’s depth, potentially precluding the need for more depth.
However, the question is whether both forwards can remain healthy. In Dach’s case, that’s been the biggest issue plaguing his career. That’s why the Canadiens may still look into bringing Kadri aboard. Adding him as a crucial depth piece could reduce the Habs’ reliance on Dach as a main contributor.
A deal could likely happen until after the Olympics, if it happens this season. Otherwise, the Canadiens may explore this deal in the offseason.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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