The Calgary Flames should not trade Nazem Kadri unless the return is exceptional

The Calgary Flames have been in the news for what seems like forever, with reports of players looking to leave. From last season’s mass exodus to this season’s endless Rasmus Andersson rumours that simply will not die, if the reports are to be believed, the Flames appear to be seeking to remove everyone older and replace them with future picks and prospects in a rebuild.

The latest name to be spread now is Nazem Kadri, with teams across the league reportedly interested in acquiring the former Stanley Cup winner. Honestly, why wouldn’t they show interest? He’s a cost-controlled top-six centreman who has won a cup. He’s a leader on and off the ice, and a player with a very high compete level.

While he has a no-movement clause, Nick Kypreos noted that he may be willing to waive that to go back to the Toronto Maple Leafs or to the Montreal Canadiens. However, unless the Flames receive an incredible offer, they should keep Kadri and avoid even discussing a trade with him.

What does Kadri bring to the Flames?

Offensive production

It’s no stretch to say that Kadri has been the Flames’ best player by some distance the last two seasons. He finished first in points in the last two years and set a career high this year with 35 goals. He and Jonathan Huberdeau were the team’s only 60+ point scorers this year. The next highest producers were MacKenzie Weegar and Matt Coronato, tied with 47.

Down the stretch, when the team was fighting for a playoff spot, it was Kadri leading the charge. From March 1 to the end of the season, Kadri led the way with 24 points in 24 games. He was the only Flame to be at a point-per-game level during this time. Not only has he been good, he’s been good when the team has needed him to be.

Leadership qualities

That leadership quality to be able to show up when the chips are down is frankly something this team needs. As a retooling team, the Flames want to instill good values and mindsets in their younger players, and Kadri does that in spades. You look at teams that have been mired in rebuilds seemingly forever, and the one thing that they have in common is a lack of push in big moments. Being a leader who can show it on the ice matters.

Off the ice, there has been a lot of talk about Kadri’s role in the dressing room. If that role is half as big as has been discussed, the Flames benefit from having him in the lineup.

Fanbase engagement

In a retool, it’s typically harder for teams to sell tickets. Fans don’t typically want to watch their team get blown out night after night chasing a superstar, but Kadri grows the fan base through his community work and off-ice leadership. While often overlooked, this work matters as it opens the sport to new communities and engages new fan bases in ways that haven’t been done in the past. This impact is great for both the team and the community.

Understandably, fans who embrace the tank mentality look at Kadri as an impediment to that goal. He’s frankly a very good hockey player. On top of that, given his salary and production, he would be an easy piece to move right now. Given his age, at some point, his production is going to slow down, and with it goes his value.

However, looking at what he brings to the team on and off the ice, it’s hard to think the Flames want to move him. He’s quite frankly too valuable to trade right now unless a monumental offer came along.

What would a big offer for Kadri look like?

Kadri holds a no-movement clause, and the Flames reportedly have no interest in starting trade conversations with him. This is the right approach. Until and unless the team gets a massive offer for him, it’s not worth even opening the conversation with Kadri.

However, if the Flames get an offer that knocks their socks off, it may be worth exploring. But it would need to be an offer so big that it would be worth even opening the conversation. That offer would need to start with at least three first-round picks or equivalent NHL-ready players, as well as other players.

We looked at the assets that the Montreal Canadiens have available, and the trade proposal outlined in a fair trade would have to include at least one first-round pick, one of Owen Beck or Michael Hage, and a roster player to make the salary work. This seems like a reasonable deal, but it doesn’t do enough to make the Flames broach the topic with Kadri.

Unless there were at least two first-rounders or a first-rounder and both Hage and Beck in there, it’s not worth even asking Kadri whether he would be willing to waive his no-movement clause. Now, if the Canadiens were to move one of their best prospects—say Ivan Demidov or David Reinbacher—that changes the conversation, but that feels nearly impossible. A good deal still means losing all that the Flames have in Kadri, and unless a team like Montreal really pays, it’s not worth it for the Flames.

Final thoughts

Kadri means a lot to this team both on and off the ice. Under Craig Conroy, the Flames have been keen to build a team of good young players but also good people. Kadri isn’t young anymore, but is a leader in the room and on the ice. Unless the team gets an offer that knocks their socks off, it’s not worth even broadening this conversation.