Could anyone on the Calgary Flames other than Nazem Kadri surface in trade speculation? And what could be next for the Columbus Blue Jackets?
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri's been the subject of occasional trade speculation since the June NHL draft. He recently told reporters to “pump the brakes” on the conjecture over his future, putting his focus on the upcoming season with his teammates.
Kadri isn't the only Flames veteran getting mentioned in the rumor mill. A reader recently asked The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek about the trade market for Jonathan Huberdeau, Blake Coleman, MacKenzie Weegar and Mikael Backlund.
Duhatschek suggested Coleman is more likely to move by the March 7 trade deadline. The 32-year-old two-way forward has Stanley Cup experience and only two years left on his contract with a $4.9-million annual cap hit.
Duhatschek added that Huberdeau's hefty contract would be difficult to move unless the Flames retained at least 30 percent, or $3.15 million of his $10.5-million cap hit. He pointed out that Backlund left money on the table to stay in Calgary and didn't see him moving. He also believes it would take “something special” to pry Weegar away from the Flames.
Turning to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johnny Gaudreau's tragic death removes his $9.75-million cap hit from their payroll.
Earlier this week, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reported the Columbus Blue Jackets are projected to be under the $65 million salary-cap minimum when the regular season opens next month. Teams are supposed to have their rosters settled two days before the start of the season to become cap-compliant.
Portzline indicated they're awaiting word from the league and the NHLPA whether they'll receive a one-time concession given the circumstances.
Sportsnet's Luke Fox noted the Blue Jackets will have considerable salary-cap space entering this season. He wondered if they might use some of it to make additions via trades or free agency, or weaponize it by taking on a problem contract bundled with picks and prospects, or become a third-party broker for cap-strapped clubs near the trade deadline.
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