Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames has been the subject of relentless trade rumors this offseason. The two teams linked with the 34-year-old are the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. But how much truth is there to these speculations?
Kadri, who played for the Maple Leafs for 10 seasons, was traded by the team following several playoff suspensions. But Toronto, still reeling from the exit of former standout Mitch Marner, would find a talent like Kadri useful in the front. Maple Leafs fans are pining for a Kadri-Leafs reunion.
But what are the chances? An NHL insider doesn’t sound too optimistic.
NHL Insider Predicts That Nazem Kadri Will Continue His Time With the Calgary Flames
Kadri is signed to a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Flames. Last season, Kadri scored 67 points in 82 regular-season games. Moreover, the center has not missed a single game since he arrived in Calgary and has averaged 29.3 goals over those three seasons. Additionally, the 34-year-old also has a full no-trade clause.
Given such circumstances, what is the possibility of Kadri being traded to another team? Frank Seravalli believes close to none.
There have been rumors about the Flames trading Nazem Kadri, but @frank_seravalli is here to pour some cold water on them 👀 pic.twitter.com/L0rjuOUE00
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 22, 2025
“You have heard Nazem Kadri linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, you have heard him linked to the Montreal Canadiens, you have heard him linked to a lot of different places. How about we just keep the link with the Calgary Flames, because he has done just about everything that they could ask, and they’re not interested in moving him.”
Seravalli further argues that the team needs centers now more than ever, reducing the likelihood of such a trade. “So we’ve talked all summer long on the BRNHL Insider Notebook about the idea of how difficult it has been for teams to acquire top-six forwards, let alone centers. Everyone’s in search of a second-line center. Nazem Kadri, very unlikely to be on the move, and the numbers would back that up.”
Kadri’s current deal runs through 2029, and he will likely continue playing for the Flames. As Seravalli points out, the 34-year-old likes playing for the team, and the Calgary front office is not keen to move him either. “Sources indicate that the Calgary Flames really haven’t engaged in any of those conversations. It would take a heck of an offer to get Nazem Kadri out of Calgary, where he’s ingrained and embedded in the culture of that team.”
Moreover, Kadri’s stats do the talking on his behalf. “He had 35 goals last year, including a league best, a league high, 28 scored by wrist shot. There’s an interesting stat for you. He plays nearly 20 minutes a game.”
Overall, Leafs fans hoping that Kadri finds his way back to Toronto should refrain from getting their hopes up. Simply put, the Flames do not have enough reasons to trade Kadri away, but they do have enough to hold onto him.