Craig Conroy and the Flames were quiet yet again this week outside of three, two-way extensions awarded to Rory Kerins, Yan Kuznetsov, and Jeremie Poirier. As the offseason has entered its dog days, NHL front office action has diminished, while tee times and much-needed vacations ramp up.
Despite this, Conroy and the Flames have left several questions unanswered, with roughly two months until NHL training camps kick off. Rasmus Andersson has earned his fair share of trade speculation and remains on the roster despite being a pending UFA entering next season. With Andersson expected to exit relatively soon, it has led members of the hockey community to question the Flames’ other veterans with the organization. Earlier this week, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos said Flames forward Nazem Kadri’s value has never been higher.
With an unpredictable young core of talent, could it be time to capitalize on Kadri’s value and explore whether or not the veteran centre would waive his NMC to compete for another Stanley Cup? We asked, you answered.
Want to take part in Sunday Census polls? We send them out every week on our Twitter at @wincolumnCGY. Follow along or send in ideas for the next poll!
Should the Flames explore trading Kadri?
We presented the following poll to our readers:
Assuming he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause, should the #Flames explore a Nazem Kadri trade?
— The Win Column (@wincolumnCGY) July 19, 2025
Yes
Almost 80% of fans who voted in this week’s poll think the Flames should explore trade options for Nazem Kadri. There’s no question that Kadri is one of the Flames’ most valuable assets, especially when you consider his resume and recent play for the Flames. 2024–25 was one of Kadri’s best seasons in the NHL. The 34-year-old posted a career high with 35 goals, surpassing his previous high of 32, which he accomplished twice with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016–17 and 2017–18.
While also having the third-highest point total of his career last season (67), Kadri was one of the Flames’ most outspoken members of the leadership group. If there’s one thing that motivates Nazem Kadri, it’s doubters, and the 2024–25 Flames had a plethora of them. Down the stretch, Kadri was one of the league’s best players. In the Flames’ final 16 games, he scored 12 goals and 19 points. Some nights, he looked like the only player who believed the group could pull off a wild-card spot.
There’s no question Kadri’s value is high; it’s more a question of which teams are willing to make a move and whether he is also willing to go. With an NMC, Conroy would have to find a team Kadri was willing to play for, and one that was willing to shell out top dollar for the Flames’ number one centre. With a $7M cap hit, the Flames could take advantage of their underutilized cap space and retain 50% of Kadri’s salary to stretch his value and number of available suitors. At this point, it’s reported Kadri would waive for the Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens.
If the Flames are convinced to move Kadri, the price tag will be extremely high. Not only because of his value league-wide, but also his value to the Flames. If Kadri exits, the Flames are left even thinner up the middle of the ice, assuming they don’t receive a top-six centre in return. Removing Kadri from the lineup essentially dismantles an already fragile forward group, leading to an inevitable crash.
The Flames being in the midst of a re-tool is certainly one of the reasons for the number of yes votes. Kadri doesn’t help the Flames rebuild by dragging them within inches of a playoff spot they have no business competing for. Yes voters would argue that now is the time to capitalize on your assets at their peak and stockpile 2026 first-rounders.
No
Roughly 20% of fans think the Flames should hold onto their veteran Center. It’s evident how much impact he had on the ice last season. Outside of Dustin Wolf, many fans would argue who was next in line for Flames’ MVP in 2024–25. Outside of his production, Kadri’s competitive personality and playoff mentality carried much of what the Flames praised culture was shaped around.
Conroy and Ryan Huska showered Kadri in compliments last season, and it was clear through his interviews with the media how much bigger of a role Nazem took in the locker room. The exact reasons that make him valuable to playoff contenders are the exact reasons the Flames don’t want to see him depart. His work ethic and intangibles make him the perfect veteran to have at the forefront of a young core, and his on-ice production is some of the best contract value the Flames have on payroll.
Getting rid of a guy like that hurts to say the least. Not only that, we’ve already touched on the positional hole that already exists behind Kadri. I don’t think Conroy takes any calls or asks Kadri to waive his NMC unless the Flames crash and burn out of the gates in October. Even at that point, I think it’s unlikely the Flames entertain anything without Kadri making the first move.
Get ready Flames fans, things aren’t going to get any easier this year. More tough decisions lie ahead for Craig Conroy in his third season as Calgary Flames GM.
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