NHL Rumor Mill – November 3, 2025
Is Flames center Nazem Kadri not the right fit for the Canadiens? Could the Maple Leafs try to trade David Kampf? Will the Oilers attempt to move Troy Stecher? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Jack Todd isn’t buying into the recent media speculation linking Nazem Kadri to the Canadiens. While acknowledging that the 35-year-old Calgary Flames center could be on their list of potential trade targets, he doesn’t believe they’ll pursue him.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
Todd cited Kadri’s lengthy suspension history for undisciplined play as one reason. He hasn’t been suspended since 2021, but his yearly penalty minutes remain at the same level.
Based on the way the Canadiens operate, Kadri is too old and too expensive to fit their need for a second-line center. Todd also pointed out that rookie Oliver Kapanen is currently filling that position, with promising Michael Hage on the way.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree that Kadri isn’t a fit for the Canadiens. Nearly every move that Canadiens management has made has been aimed at acquiring younger talent that will complement their young roster core.
Kadri is playing well now, but a decline is inevitable at his age. He’ll be poised for retirement by the time his contract expires in 2029.
The Canadiens prefer to add players who will perform well over the long term. If they’re going to part with assets for someone with an expensive contract, they want to ensure they will get their money’s worth.
Kapanen has done well thus far in the second-line center role, sitting fifth among this season’s leading rookie scorers with seven points in 12 games. If he can maintain or improve on that performance, the Canadiens won’t need to go shopping for a center by the March trade deadline.
Hage, meanwhile, sits fourth among NCAA scorers with 14 points in eight games. The 19-year-old center could crack the Canadiens’ lineup within the next two years.
SPORTSNET: On Saturday, Elliotte Friedman said David Kampf is taking a few days to consider his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization.
The 30-year-old center was sent down to their AHL affiliate before the start of this season because the Maple Leafs had a roster and salary-cap crunch.
Friedman mentioned that some observers brought up the possibility of Kampf seeking a mutual contract termination with the Leafs. That would enable him to sign with another NHL club. However, he’s still owed over $4 million by the Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs could try to trade Kampf. However, there isn’t much of a market for him at the moment.
Friedman also said that the Edmonton Oilers could try to move defenseman Troy Stecher. With sidelined players like Zach Hyman, Mattias Janmark, and Alec Regula returning soon, they must free up some roster and salary-cap room.
I think the oilers are trying to move Stecher where he has a good shot at full time nhl work, hence wording ‘soft landing’ being used.
He has been a good soldier, but trapped up in numbers, with embersson and regula at this point in their careers offering more upside long term.
Hoping they can get him on a team where he secures a 6 thru 7 role at least.
Regarding yesterday Pinto suggestion of mine the question arose if the Sens don’t see Pinto as a 2C why would the Habs?
The Sens have Stutzle as 1C and Cozens as 2C, making Pinto a 3C.
Before it was Stutzle and Norris with Pinto as 3C.
The Habs have Suzuki as 1C and a few guys trying to fill the role, none of whom are as good as Pinto.
Kadri doesn’t fit the Habs situation on account of contract length, his age, the culture being established.
LJ,
If the Sens won’t pay him 2C money, if the Sens continue to see and pay him as a 3C, the acquisition cost would be that of a 3rd liner.
An overpay for a 3C, very worth it for the Habs using him as 2C
Kapanen- immediate 3C
Laine- a pp gun when back from IR
1st round pick in this draft (Sens don’t have one)
That’s one possibility.
HF30:
Fair point that the the Sens have three strong centers; and implicit in that point is they are unlikely to pay Pinto 2C money when they have 15 million invested in Stuzle and Cozens. I stepped by that part. So you are on to something, good work.
But you aren’t persuaded by my observation that a trade between two teams in the same division fighting for possibly the same playoff spot is not going to make a trade.
You also don’t offer a suggestion on who the Habs would have to give up to acquire Pinto.
That’s fine, stick to your guns on this. But as I said yesterday, throwing out names of players a team could use without thinking about the acquisition cost gets part marks only.
Why not take the extra step to make your suggestion compelling?
LJ,
I gave a suggestion,maybe you didn’t like it.
Kapanen
Laine
1st round pick 2026
It’s a lot for a 3C but we’ll worth it.
The Blue Jackets might have some young solid roster pieces they may consider moving potentially. The likes of Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, and Mathieu Olivier, anyone of them would work fabulously imo.