NHL Rumor Mill – July 26, 2025
The latest on Flames center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson, plus some recent speculation about the Red Wings’ defense corps in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon noted Nazem Kadri’s impressive offensive totals with the retooling Calgary Flames. The 35-year-old is a valuable commodity to the Flames, and to a club trying to find a second-line center in an offseason where the trade and free-agent markets are bereft of such players.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
Dixon acknowledged the Flames aren’t in any hurry to trade Kadri. He has four years left on his contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7 million and a full no-movement clause for this season. Nevertheless, he’s been a stubborn fixture in the rumor mill.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri keeps appearing on trade boards because of the lack of skilled centers in the current trade and free-agent markets. That’s why some pundits continue to suggest that he’s a trade target.
The Flames could move Kadri if they receive a great offer and he’s willing to agree to the trade. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if he’s still in the Flames’ lineup when they open the regular season in October.
If Kadri is moved, Dixon listed the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential destinations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche and Maple Leafs are Kadri’s former teams, and they would probably love to bring him back.
However, both clubs lack the cap space to take on his contract. They would still have to shed salary even if the Flames retained half of his AAV, which is unlikely because they aren’t under pressure to move him. The Avs and Leafs also have limited trade assets to tempt the Flames compared to the other three clubs.
Kadri’s age and contract length seem an unlikely fit with the Canadiens. They have been building their roster around young talent, and could be unwilling to part with tradeable assets for a 35-year-old center with an expensive contract.
Devils defenseman (and former Flame) Dougie Hamilton has surfaced in the rumor mill. However, a Kadri-for-Hamilton swap is doubtful as the Flames might not be on his 10-team list of preferred destinations.
The Hurricanes are in “win-now” mode with a creative general manager willing to make big moves. Kadri might be a fit there, provided he’s willing to go to Carolina.
CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports it seems increasingly likely Rasmus Andersson will start this season with the Flames. The 28-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his contract, becoming eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.
Austin considers it “almost inevitable” that Andersson will be moved at some point this season. However, with no move taking place around the draft last month, a trade doesn’t seem imminent.
Flames GM Craig Conroy has no problem with Andersson being in the lineup when this season begins. He has stated that he has no concerns about the blueliner’s attitude. His future isn’t expected to be much of a distraction for the Flames this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson is far more likely to be traded by the Flames than Kadri. Conroy hasn’t received any suitable offers for him and is willing to wait until he does. Having him on the roster could also help them remain in the hunt for a playoff berth this season.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff recently reported the Red Wings might not be done adding to their blueline this season.
Duff noted that there are some “under-the-radar defensemen” who could be had in this summer’s trade market.
Jamie Oleksiak of the Seattle Kraken and Ryan McDonagh of the Tampa Bay Lightning are two possibilities. The Lightning traded McDonagh before and could do so again.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oleksiak and McDonagh are UFA-eligible next summer. The Kraken are under new management, which also explains why Oleksiak has surfaced in the rumor mill. The Lightning could attempt to move McDonagh to free up cap space for other additions, but they could be content to stick with their current roster for now.
I know the flames stubbornly won’t move vets unless completely out of the playoffs, but as a fan I wouldn’t mind them ditching the “winning culture/middling” concept for high draft picks whilst letting the younger players play in NHL this season.
You could literally find a center on every single NHL team that MTL has been linked to this summer. Every keyboard warrior, master baiter, wannabe journalist, has “Insider info” on who’s the next #2 center in Montreal. The truth is, most of these articles are often based on armchair fantasy trades, dreamed up in franchise mode on a video game console. Don’t be at all surprised if Montreal goes into the regular season with the current roster as is.
The only difference between them and 99.9% of us in here, Craig, is that they put their ideas across with a bit more pizzazz and flair.
Bottom line, no one’s arm is being twisted to read or listen to them.
True George, and as we have both acknowledged here, dog days for hockey news.
Still, one would think that the mainstream pros would want to maintain some credibility to separate themselves with every wanna be with a go pro or an iPhone, and speculate sensibly.
I’m at the point where I won’t be surprised to hear that the Habs are considering re-signing Howie Morenz.
LOL. And even there he’d have his critics because he’s only 5′ 9″ 165lbs!
Flames are skinny organizationally at center. Move Kadri and their #1 is Frost ? If he goes down Backlund ? They are not trading Kadri . The only way is if they move Andersson first and get a center ice man in that deal
First they need to get off their rear ends and sign Zary.
This is what I don’t get. Calgary missed playoffs on a tie breaker. They have 15m in cap space. Why trade Kadri now? Or Anderson for that matter. Unless you’re committed to a rebuild, there’s no reason to move them unless you’re getting young NHL ready talent back. Any 1st round picks will probably be lottery protected.
I agree. Flames could definitely challenge for the number 3 seed in the pacific especially if there is no sophomore slump for Wolf.
Also has Rasmus stated he would not be interested in extending or is it just the dollar and term that they dont agree on?
As you said they have cap space and stay in the mix and they could make some in seasons moves to bolster the line up.
They are in a decent spot and have no need to sell off vets.
Ras and Flames are far apart on term and money. So, just throwing money at him because we have cap isn’t very pragmatic. It further complicated by him only wanting to play with Vegas
The Flames need picks and prospects to build a sustainable future. All the vets should be offered a chance to play for winners, but if they want to stay. So be it. Teams below them have improved this summer so I think a repeat of barely missing the payoffs ain’t happening. It’s only getting worse with aging Vets/less ROI.
Red Wings fan here. Although I like Oleksiak, he’s a LHD, and our right side is pitiful right now apart from Seider. Yzerman would love Andersson but sounds like he wouldn’t re-sign here, so the Wings will have to part with some promising prospects or picks for help on the right side.
Ian, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Yzerman has invited UFA 34 y/o 6′ 3″ 205lbs RD Jan Rutta on a P.T.O basis. He last played for San Jose – 54gp 3g 6a 9pts coming off a cap hit of $2,750,000.
Another RD who might be enticing is one of the London 5 – 26y/o 6′ 3″ 225lbs Cal Foote who last played in 2023-24 with the Devils – 4gp 0g 1a 1pt and a cap hit of $800,000.
Although I’m not sure Yzerman is one who would go down that rabbit hole.
No one wants Kadri not even the Flames. Not at that price with that contract. Might be a fine player but for how much longer? Just not worth it. Same money on a younger player with a better contract is what every team l9oks for.
AZHockeyNut
I am not sure I agree with” no one wants kadri ….not even at that price” ? I mean the Avalanche probably wished they had kept him after the cup season or made sure he didn’t leave by finding some way to keep him. IDK and the Avala nche have failed to fill his role.
Now, they have Nelson but for all this time that has gone by, not successfully addressed that position. Mittlestadt didn’t work out. I was wrong about that one, a big disappointment. that was 2-3 yrs ago and kadri is still playing great for Calgary. I would bet he still has plenty left in the tank. They were saying back then the same thing but for how long?