As the Olympics close out and the NHL inches closer to a return, the Montreal Canadiens seem to be a team ready to contend, and could be buyers at the upcoming trade deadline. While it seems as though the market is thinning for top-six forwards, the Canadiens will likely want to make a splash for one, and the Calgary Flames could become a trade partner if the Habs can find a way to make the money work.
Related: Canadiens Acquiring Nazem Kadri Makes No Sense
Nazem Kadri has emerged as an elite two-way forward over the past several seasons, and while his name has come up in trade rumours previously, this seems to be the season where he will finally be moving on from the Flames. Kadri’s $7,000,000 cap hit makes things tough for any team looking to acquire him, but if the Canadiens can make it work, it makes sense as a potential fit.
Kadri, who is 35 years old, has scored 10 goals and added 29 assists for 39 points through 56 games with the Flames this season. Through 1041 career games, he has scored 317 goals and added 432 assists for 749 points, which comes out to a 0.72 points-per-game average.
In this article, we take a look at what a potential deadline day blockbuster between the Canadiens and Flames involving Kadri would look like. Keep in mind, this is simply a hypothetical deal, and while there have been some rumblings that the Habs will check in on Kadri’s availability, there is no indication that the Canadiens and Flames are actively involved in trade talks.
Canadiens Land Kadri, Flames Receive Haul
A couple of things would need to happen for this deal to go through. Kadri has to be willing to go to the Canadiens, and with a 13-team no-trade list, it is possible he’d be open to the idea. Next, the Habs would need to find a way to clear cap space. I could see them dumping Brendan Gallagher, who has a $6,500,000 cap hit, and if they can find a way to do that, they would be able to take on Kadri’s full contract.
I wondered originally if the Flames would be willing to take on Patrik Laine in return at half retention. They could’ve taken him on as a project, seen if he fit in their system with a fresh start, and then made their decision whether or not to keep him at the end of the season, but I don’t think that’s a likely option.
Realistically, the Canadiens acquire Kadri in exchange for Kirby Dach, Owen Beck, their first-round pick in 2026, and their fourth-round pick in 2026. The Flames add a solid forward in Dach, a good future player in Beck, and two draft picks to bolster their prospect pool.
The Canadiens seem ready to make a deep playoff run, and adding a former Stanley Cup champion in Kadri takes them from a pretender to a potential contender. Kadri has proven time and time again that he can be a solid contributor for a playoff team, and if he can bring his playoff experience and elevate again in a new environment, the Canadiens may have a chance to surprise some fans and push for a championship.
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