If you’ve watched the Calgary Flames this season, you know the vibe is heavily leaning toward a full teardown. The lack of goal-scoring is glaring, and despite a valiant effort, Dustin Wolf hasn’t been able to single-handedly hold the fort the way he did down the stretch last year. But there is one bright spot on this struggling roster: Nazem Kadri.
Leading the team with 39 points through 56 games, Kadri is proving he still has gas in the tank. But let’s be brutally honest—he’s 35, he has three years left on his deal, and keeping him through a rebuild is a disservice to both the player and the franchise. It’s exactly why the Los Angeles Kings, a team desperate to plug a gaping hole in their top-six depth after the Kevin Fiala injury, are circling. The reality is, if Calgary wants to stock up on young talent and truly embrace this rebuild, pulling the trigger on a Kadri trade to a team like LA before his value declines isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity.
The Calgary Flames Rebuild Meets LA Kings’ Center Crisis
In today’s NHL, legitimate top-six centers are the hardest currency to acquire unless you draft and develop them yourself. That’s why a player like Kadri, even at 35, commands a premium. He is a proven Stanley Cup winner with the exact type of abrasive, playoff-ready style that contenders covet. Kadri wants another kick at the can on the “back 9” of his career, and the Flames need to aggressively pursue young assets rather than stewing at the bottom of the Pacific Division.
NHL insider David Pagnotta recently fanned the flames, stating, “We know Nazem Kadri is open to a move. They don’t have to necessarily do anything now, but just the fact that he’s relayed that message, speaks volumes.” It speaks volumes because it aligns perfectly with what the market needs. Both the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadiens are staring down center issues both now and in the near future. For the LA Kings, Kadri could be the exact veteran stabilizer required to weather their current top-six crisis, bringing the grit and two-way reliability that Ken Holland and the Kings’ brass have been searching for.
How Kadri’s Modified NTC Impacts a Blockbuster Deal
The major caveat here is Kadri’s contract. This is the first year of his deal featuring a modified no-trade clause (13 teams) after having full no-trade protection up until this point. While 13 teams is a manageable list for Flames’ management to work around, personal insight tells us that players in Kadri’s position often waive their clauses if it means jumping from a rebuilding squad to a legitimate contender. If the Los Angeles Kings—or another contender on his no-trade list—present a real chance at a ring, it is highly likely he would change his mind.
The Calgary Flames have already begun trading high-end players this season. Refusing to move Kadri now would be front-office malpractice. To come back stronger, they need to maximize his current trade value to bring in the future core.
Finding the latest Calgary Flames news
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on finding the latest Calgary Flames news, rumors, and trades, you are in the right place. Don’t forget to join our NHL Playoff Hockey Pool for your chance to win cash prizes! Plus, if you’re wondering how to watch the Flames game on TV today, we have full broadcast schedules updated daily on our website. Make sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks so you never miss a beat, and sign up for our newsletter below to get the biggest scoops delivered straight to your inbox.
The post Why a Nazem Kadri Trade to the Los Angeles Kings Makes Perfect Sense appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
