Kadri Trade Talk Heats Up as Flames Management Remains Patient
During the early edition of Insider Trading, host Gino Reda asked TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger about the Calgary Flames and what the plan is for Nazem Kadri. Will he be moved between now and the deadline?
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Gino Reda: “What about the Flames. They’re 11 points out Dregs. could be a huge ad for a team headed to the playoffs, especially with his team friendly deal that pays him $7 million a season for this year and three more to follow. Could we see a bidding war for this guy?
NHL Rumors: The Calgary Flames Remaining Patient With Nazem Kadri
Darren Dreger: “Well, you’re going to see tons of interest, and there has been considerable interest to this stage. I believe that there have been offers, trade offers made on Nazem Kadri but I think Craig Conroy, the general manager the Calgary Flames, is also looking around the market here Gino.
He’s wondering what Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators are going to do. Is Ryan O’Reilly really in play, and if he is in play, what’s the return for Ryan O’Reilly? If a team with an interest in O’Reilly doesn’t get the player, maybe they shift over to the Calgary Flames, and they sweeten the deal to acquire that player.
So even though Nazem Kadriwants to be traded, and yes, of course, he wants to go to a contending team, or at least a playoff team, I think we can appreciate the patient approach here by the Calgary Flames, but more and more it seems likely that Kadri is going to get traded between now and the deadline.”
NHLRumors.com Note: Nazem Kadri has been the subject of trade talks for a while now. As reported in the summer, GM Craig Conroy is waiting for an offer he can’t refuse. Over the months, the talk surrounding Kadri has gone from him wanting to stay to him being willing and open to a trade, and now to wanting to be traded.
NHL Rumors: Action on Nazem Kadri Picked Up
As Eric Francis of Sportsnet wrote, Kadri know the inevitable is coming when it comes to a trade out of Kadri. He has asked for a trade, but management knows his desire to win again. While he wanted to do it in Calgary, he understands their plan. He is a Calgary Flame for now, but teams will be calling at the trade deadline as they accrue that cap space.
The Flames are being patient, waiting for the right offer. Again, retention is an issue; they have one slot left for this season, meaning that if they retain it, it is this season plus three more seasons. What happens with Blake Coleman, MacKenzie Weegar, and Ryan Lomberg?
It is not a matter of if anymore, but when.
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