NHL Rumor Mill – November 10, 2025
The latest Nazem Kadri speculation and an update on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Adam Vingan recently examined why Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri is such a hot commodity in the trade market right now.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
Kadri leads the struggling Flames with 11 points in 17 games. Vingan also cited his solid analytics, including his controlled entries, cycling scoring chances, successful offensive zone passes, offensive zone possession time, and his total time on ice.
Vingan cited a recent report by colleague Nick Kypreos suggesting the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens as potential trade destinations, pointing out that neither club is on his 13-team no-trade list. Kypreos also suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, but claimed they’re on Kadri’s no-trade list.
According to Vingan’s colleague Elliotte Friedman, the Canadiens would be very interested if Kadri becomes available, suggesting they have tradeable assets that would interest the Flames. Vingan also suggested the Detroit Red Wings as a destination, noting that they have received underwhelming results thus far from 21-year-old center Marco Kasper.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Darren Dreger reported last Thursday that Flames ownership doesn’t want to part with Kadri, who loves Calgary and wants to help the team win. Nevertheless, the more the Flames keep struggling, the more frequently we’ll continue seeing Kadri’s name surface in the rumor mill.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan was recently asked where Oliver Kapanen might fall in the Canadiens’ lineup if they acquire a second-line center. He believes they’re in no rush to make that move, given how well Kapanen and Kirby Dach are playing thus far.
Another reader asked Cowan if it was time for the Canadiens to move on from winger Josh Anderson, who is off to a slow start this season. He doesn’t see them doing so because he still has a year left on his contract, and his heavy game is tailor-made for the playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ solid start to this season means that management can take its time and fully evaluate the second-line center position before deciding to part with valuable assets to address that position. If Kapanen and Dach keep playing well leading up to the trade deadline, management could shift its focus toward other roster issues that may arise by that point.
I don’t see MTL parting with assets for an aging Kadri. They actually are nowhere near as hurting at centre as believed. I agree with Lyle in that as long as they keep winning, Hughes is not in any hurry to make a move.
Dach can’t be counted on because of his recent injuries. If the Habs can get Kadri for picks and a prospect (not from the current roster) than it is a no-brainer to add more depth for a long playoff run
Mikep: Dach’s injury history makes me nervous as well.
However: Kadri is signed for three more seasons after this one. This, his age now (35) and the fact that the Habs have to resign Demidov, Bolduc, Kapanen and Matheson all within the window of Kadri’s cap commitment makes acquiring him a dubious proposition at best.
Why would the Habs be interested in a 38 year old in their line up at a time when they will otherwise have a line up at its peak age profile?
Hughes and Gorton, I say for the umpteenth time, are building a team with the long view in mind. No quick fixes (a la Zacha) and no aging players with long contracts. Particularly one with 4 goals so far.
Kyprios is desperate for attention and is an idiot. Friedmann is not, and it astonishes me that he would buy into this palpable nonsense.
Mike, I would rather take a chance on Ryan O’Reilly before Kadri. O’Reilly is a Conn Smythe trophy winner and consistently a near 60 percent win percentage in the race off circle.
Nothing worse than a meddling owner. It’s hard to hire a proven GM when your owner micromanages him.
Yeah Edwards is a pretty meddling owner but Conroy has done nothing to show he is trading futures to get into a wildcard. Nothing at last year Trade deadline even though they were in the fight for a spot & he has done nothing this summer in the UFA market. Conroy knows the only reason why we didnt have a top 10 pick was Wolf played out of his mind & got us at least an extra 10-12 points in the standings.
Edwards probably had a chat with Conroy asking how the trade market was going with a few of the players. We both know when GMs see teams like the Flames start to swirl drastically into sell mode for various reasons, they throw anchors not life preservers. Conroy probably told him lots of interest in both Andersen & Kadri but offers are just garbage. Edwards was probably sending these GM’s a message throw the insiders of, hey you want a guy like Kadri that you know would help a lot of contenders come playoff time, time to pony up or I’m quite content to keep him & his contract. I think Edwards was trying to do Conroy a favour.
As Flames continue to traject as a lotto team, once offers get serious we’ll see some trades Supply & demand usually prevails as we approach February. Personally, Canadians would be crazy not to be all over a Kadri if he becomes available. He is is aging really well & has lots of talent & grit. I would think a deep playoff run over the next few years would have to have some value a few young prospects, especially a team like the Canadians with so many great young players. A player like Kadri with a Cup ring & leadership skills would be a huge asset for a young team playing in late April/May.
IF Kadri is traded, and that’s a big if, Washington might be in the mix. They’ve lost Dubois for an extended period, and have multiple high end prospects to move for him. Plus they’re having trouble filling their 3rd line center position, so when PLD comes back, Kadri slides into that slot. But they may not to trade futures for a quick fix. And may not want him for another 3 years after this one.
Why does Carolina end up on so many no trade list?
Do we know this for sure, Jeff? No trade lists are a curious omission from public disclosure. My guess is that the NHL doesn’t want to embarrass franchises like Buffalo who would IMO be on almost all NTLs, but teams’ fortunes change. A year or two ago Montreal surely was on most NTLs; now they have a more positive rep.
Doesn’t the Carolina arena make it on the top of the Athletics NHLPA poll for the worst facility in the NHL?
Montreal should stick to the plan and play out this season to see where things land. If they can make a trade for a centre that fits in their long term plan that is different. I feel that is the mistake the leafs made when the core four were young. They rushed the plan and it cost them in the long run.
a refreshingly sensible post.