NHL Rumor Mill – October 30, 2025
Evaluating possible trade targets for the Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont weighed in on recent rumors linking the Canadiens to Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently indicated that Canadiens management has compiled a list of centers who might become available between now and the March 6 trade deadline, and Kadri is among them. He thinks the Canadiens might be interested because of their ongoing need for a second-line center.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
Dumont noted the 35-year-old Kadri is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade list. He’s done a good job of bucking the usual decline for athletes in his age group, and his underlying numbers remain good despite the Flames’ poor performance this season.
Nevertheless, Kadri’s age is a concern, and the Canadiens tend to focus on youth to maximize their asset value in trades. They would also have to pay a premium for Kadri.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dumont believes acquiring Kadri would fly in the face of most of the decisions they’ve made during their rebuild. The Canadiens are likely to pursue younger options to address their second-line center needs.
THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston was recently asked which of the following players could be realistic trade targets for the Canadiens: Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken, Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders, or Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins.
Johnston considered Zacha as the most likely candidate, but he doesn’t see the Bruins moving him to a long-time rival like the Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports suggest the Bruins aren’t in any hurry to move Zacha, who is signed through next season. He may sign a contract extension next summer.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols looked at four early-season trade targets for the Devils.
Nichols believes the Devils will need reinforcements if they intend to stage a deep playoff run this season. He listed Zacha, Blake Coleman of the Calgary Flames, Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks, and Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres as potential options.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four are on teams that are struggling early in this season. However, none of them are sellers yet. That could change in the coming weeks if they don’t soon turn their fortunes around. By that point, the Devils might find other options elsewhere.
Tuch and Wennberg are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next summer. Zacha and Coleman are signed beyond this season. Tuch has indicated his willingness to stay in Buffalo, but he’s paused his contract extension talks.
The last few years I have noticed that hockey reporters and insiders are throwing names out in rumors without any real thought. It used to be more the regional reports doing it. I don’t know how many times I read Nurse was going to the Leafs before the Oilers drafted McDavid. Now it’s the big national guys, how does it make sense for the Bruins to trade Zacha? Will it really help the Bruins enter a rebuild? They already have 4 first round picks in the next 2 drafts. Oh, and did the Leafs not protect that first round draft pick again with the Bruins? lol
I wonder sometimes too, Kevjam.
But note the wording re Lebrun, who is well thought out: it says the Habs compiled a list of centers who might become available. Making such a list is not an indication that they are interested.
Yeah, I get that. Every GM should have a list like that in an area that they need help in.
Zacha is just the most recent. There have been a few real head scratching rumors the past couple years coming from these guys.
They are all taking their Q from make-it-up-Murphy who has been doing this for years!
How is Zacha even considered so highly. 3rd line center at best. He’s not an improvement to Montreal. If you’re going to make a trade swing for the fences. Montreal has the assets and the gm to do it.
I would consider Zacha an improvment over Kirby Dach. Zacha has been pretty much a 50 point player the past few seasons and Dach can’t stay healthy.
True, Kevjam. Dach is brittle, and doesn’t inspire confidence. But that doesn’t elevate Zacha to a legit 2C. Certainly not the one the Habs seek.
I don’t see the Habs making a big trade. This is not their year. It’s a year to let their youngest players gain more experience and then make determinations.
Weeks ago I mentioned Beniers as a possible target for the Habs. At the time I thought if the Kraken don’t get off to a good start then maybe there is a trade there. With Beniers now taking first line duties in Seattle, I don’t think there is trade now. Kapanen has been holding the 2nd line C role in Montreal for now so I think the Habs take a longer wait and see approach.
I think Kadri makes a lot of sense for the Habs. If not Kadri then a vet who has cup experience. The habs have one of the best young nucleus’ they dont need every player coming in to fit that demographic. Sprinkling in some vets with a lot of nhl playoff experience or cup wins will be beneficial at some point soon.
I agree that Montreal would benefit from adding an experienced center with cup experience to their young core, but I don’t know if Kadri would be that player. Kadri has a history of being a puck hog which can work on a poorer team like the Flames, but add that to a more skilled team could be damaging.
I also don’t see the Habs trading for a 35 year old with 3 years left on their contract unless they think they can go on a deep Cup run this year (and I don’t think they believe that)