Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Earlier in the NHL season, the Minnesota Wild surprised many around the league by trading for star defenseman Quinn Hughes. The move has clearly helped this team, and they have been playing excellently since they acquired the star.

But as Minnesota moves forward with its season, it may need just a little more firepower to compete consistently against some of the other elite teams in the Western Conference. Going up against the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars can be tough due to the pure depth that the two rosters have, and Minnesota needs to match up.

This team has a glaring hole in the middle of the roster, namely at the center spot. And with the NHL trade market set to resume in a few weeks once the freeze around the Winter Olympics is over, we could see the Wild be very aggressive to add more talent.

One name that could look to change everything for this team is veteran center Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames. Kadri has been on the trade block since the summer, but Calgary has resisted moving him so far.

But in recent weeks, trade chatter has increased around the star, and he could fit in very nicely alongside the high-scoring wings that Minnesota has. Kadri can play both sides of the puck well, and he has proven himself to be strong when the lights are brightest.

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Why Nazem Kadri Fits With Minnesota Wild

For the Wild, they could use a little more offensive juice, and this is exactly where Kadri would come in. The veteran has struggled to open the year with the Flames, but he does have game-changing ability on the ice.

This year, he has scored just nine goals and 26 assists over 52 regular-season games played, but much of this can be attributed to the overall struggles of the Flames. Just last season, Kadri scored 35 goals and 32 assists for the Flames, playing in all 82 games over the course of the year.

Adding Kadri could boost this team for the playoffs, as he has scored 30 goals and 39 assists, posting a plus/minus rating of +24 and 156 hits in 82 postseason games. Kadri is a proven winner when it matters most, and the Wild want to make a run toward the Stanley Cup title this year.

This team is also one of the few that can absorb his heavy contract, which has complicated trade talks with teams. Kadri is scheduled to be paid $7 million in each of the next three years following the current 2025-26 season.

Putting him into the Wild’s lineup could see this group take off fully, and it would be another sign that this team means business this season. Overall, Minnesota makes a lot of sense for the veteran center, and if he is moved, the Wild could be at the forefront to land him.

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