Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Canadiens’ Interest in Nazem Kadri Changed by Other Moves

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Feb 2, 2026 9:58 AM ET

The Montreal Canadiens explored acquiring Nazem Kadri earlier this season, but sources indicate those discussions have since gone quiet as the organization’s needs have evolved. According to a report by Marco D’Amico of RG.org, the Canadiens’ interest in Kadri has cooled.

D’Amico confirmed that Montreal checked in on the Calgary Flames center during the first half of the campaign, and Kadri does not have the Canadiens listed on his partial no-trade clause. At the time, the fit made sense.

However, by the new year, chatter surrounding a potential deal had noticeably cooled.

The Canadiens Made Moves This Season That Changed Things

Several roster developments played a major role. Oliver Kapanen’s emergence into a legitimate top-six option. Prospect Michael Hage also took big steps forward. Both of those things reduced Montreal’s urgency to pursue another high-end center.

Then, the Canadiens went out and acquired Phillip Danault in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. That stablized the position.

With Danault playing an effective role and Kapanen finding chemistry alongside Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky, Kadri became less of an immediate fit. League sources now suggest Montreal is more likely to explore scoring-winger options rather than revisiting the veteran Flames forward.

It should be noted that though the door on Kadri isn’t considered fully closed. He remains one of the more coveted names as the trade deadline approaches, and with Calgary open to retaining salary on his $7 million cap hit, teams will see what the asking price is. The Canadiens may remain among the teams who keep open lines of communication.

The Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, and Detroit Red Wings have emerged as teams to watch, each looking to bolster their center depth for a playoff push.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: