Three NHL Analysts Agree on Potential Trade Destination for Flames’ Nazem Kadri originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As speculation around Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri’s future continues, a group of NHL analysts has poured cold water on the idea of a reunion with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Instead, the analysts see Toronto’s biggest rival, the Montreal Canadiens, as a potential suitor for Kadri with enough to offer Calgary in a blockbuster move that would sting for Leafs fans.
On Friday’s episode of the “SDPN” podcast, Adam Wylde said a Leafs-Kadri reunion is far-fetched.
“The Leafs have nothing to give them,” Wylde said. “And the Leafs and Flames are not — they’re not doing business.”
Wylde added that Kadri “probably understands that he’s not likely to be traded … at least not likely to be traded to the Leafs.”
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Wylde then pointed to the Canadiens as a far more realistic landing spot for Kadri, assuming he gets moved at some point.
“For the Montreal Canadiens, if they can go and get a guy like Nazem Kadri, they are probably the top-three team in the division next year,” Wylde said.
Jesse Blake, in the same podcast, added that Kadri “fits so well in their lineup.”
“He’s exactly what they need — I don’t know the assets they’d have to send out to get him from Calgary, but I think it’s a perfect placement for him,” Blake said.
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Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (91) warms up.Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images
Steve Dangle agreed with his co-hosts, citing Montreal’s surplus of assets and a clear opening behind first-line center Nick Suzuki in the Canadiens’ lineup.
“Montreal is a really interesting [destination],” Wylde explained. “They have assets, they have plenty of ambition … and I think [Kadri] fits the 2C hole that they have, which is so glaring.”
Kadri is coming off a 35-goal season, the best of his career. He carries a $7 million annual cap hit through 2029.
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As things stand, Montreal would need to clear cap space to make the move viable, as the Canadiens are $4.5 million over the cap. For a trade to happen, Kadri would also need to waive his no-move clause and approve a Flames-Canadiens transaction shipping him to Montreal.
Related: Flames’ Nazem Kadri Responds to Maple Leafs Trade Talk
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.