The Montreal Canadiens explored acquiring Nazem Kadri earlier this season, but sources indicate those discussions have since gone quiet as the organization’s needs have evolved. According to a report by Marco D’Amico of RG.org, the Canadiens’ interest in Kadri has cooled.
D’Amico confirmed that Montreal checked in on the Calgary Flames center during the first half of the campaign, and Kadri does not have the Canadiens listed on his partial no-trade clause. At the time, the fit made sense.
However, by the new year, chatter surrounding a potential deal had noticeably cooled.
The Canadiens Made Moves This Season That Changed Things
Several roster developments played a major role. Oliver Kapanen’s emergence into a legitimate top-six option. Prospect Michael Hage also took big steps forward. Both of those things reduced Montreal’s urgency to pursue another high-end center.
Then, the Canadiens went out and acquired Phillip Danault in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. That stablized the position.