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For some time now, Flames center Nazem Kadri has been strongly linked to the Habs, especially since the injuries to Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.
However, the Kadri file just took a more difficult turn for the Montreal Canadiens. It’s clear: Montreal is really lacking depth at center, and the need is urgent.
Kadri, 35, has 21 points in 26 games this season and his average ice time sits around 19 minutes. On top of that, he still has three full seasons left on his $7-million-per-year contract. It’s certainly a big contract, but for a player of his caliber, it makes sense.
According to David Pagnotta, the Florida Panthers have entered the mix. Their situation is just as fragile, as they have been playing without Aleksander Barkov since the start of the season. Florida is stagnating with a 12-11-1 record and a −2 goal differential, which explains the urgency to add a productive center.”A couple teams I look at there…we talked about Montreal before, the other team I started hearing about recently…Florida.
The two teams that I was told to keep tabs on are the Habs and Panthers.”
– David Pagnotta
Nazem Kadri becomes a target for Montreal and Florida
Montreal, for its part, often lines up Nick Suzuki, Oliver Kapanen, Jake Evans, and Joe Veleno at center. Kapanen has 13 points in 24 games and Evans only 8 points. The outlook is thin for aiming at a playoff spot, especially in a division that is pushing hard.
Florida therefore represents a real obstacle for the Habs. Their winning window is now, and they can afford to send a pick or a young player to aim for another long playoff run. That puts Kent Hughes in a strange position. He wants to help his group, but he will not sacrifice a major piece for a veteran with a big cap hit.
To complicate things further, Flames owner Murray Edwards keeps repeating that he wants to keep his core despite their 9-14-3 record. Kadri is 35, but he remains one of the few players still producing regularly in Calgary, with 5 goals and 16 assists.
In my opinion, we end up with a hot situation, no movement approaching yet, but with two Eastern teams that don’t want to wait. Montreal absolutely must stay in the race, otherwise Florida could take the lead very quickly.
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