Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri hasn't replicated his career-high production from last season as the team struggles. But is a trade really in the cards?
The Calgary Flames signing Nazem Kadri was among last summer's biggest free-agent moves. However, the 32-year-old center's first season in the Stampede City hasn't gone as well as hoped. With 51 points in 75 games, he'll finish well below last season's career-high 87 points with the Colorado Avalanche.
Calgary Hockey Now's Steve MacFarlane last week cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculating over whether the outspoken Kadri was clashing with coach Darryl Sutter. Friedman pointed out Kadri had seen a recent reduction in his ice time.
Two days later, Kadri downplayed any suggestion of a rift between himself and Sutter.
“I think there's a lot of speculation that happens in Canadian markets,” he said. “That's understandable. For us, these games are huge, and this is all that really matters.
The Flames are desperately trying to catch the stumbling Winnipeg Jets for the final Western Conference wild-card berth. Kadri's managed six points in 14 games through March leading up to Friday's matchup with the Vancouver Canucks.
Kadri's production this season is among the reasons the Flames find themselves in their current situation. That prompted one reader to ask The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek if the Flames would attempt to trade the veteran center this summer.
Duhatschek doesn't think so, pointing out that it's not unusual for most expensive free agents to struggle somewhat with their new clubs in the first season of their new contracts. They typically need a season to adjust and perform better in the second season.
Even if the Flames had buyer's remorse and wanted to trade Kadri, his full no-movement clause would be a significant hurdle. So would the six years remaining on his contract at $7 million annually.