The season is still nascent, but the Calgary Flames’ start has been rough. With one win, six losses, and three points, the team lingers in eighth place in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Most recently, the Flames were dealt a humbling 2-1 OT defeat by the Montreal Canadiens; the Habs exhibit no signs of stopping as they dominate the Atlantic Division with six wins.
Besides the season opener against the Edmonton Oilers, the Flames have fallen each time, at home and on the road. As the team works its way out of this slump, one of its key players is back as a potential trade target.
Are the Calgary Flames Trading Nazem Kadri?
Not long ago, during the offseason, Toronto Maple Leafs fans, still struggling with Mitch Marner’s exit, flocked to Kadri’s Instagram with appeals for his return to the Leafs lineup. This was when the center was at the helm of trade rumors.
Last season was terrific for Kadri, as he accumulated 67 points in 82 regular-season games. The veteran was also spending more time on ice than ever. But the start to this season has been discouraging, as he has managed to score four points in eight games.
Will Kadri be traded? As David Pagnotta said in a recent episode of the DFO Rundown, such an event is not beyond the bounds of possibility. The underwhelming season puts the longevity of several players at stake. For starters, Rasmus Andersson is almost a certain trade candidate. “You know we obviously know about Rasmus Andersson. he is going to be moved at some point. I think the more the season goes in this direction, the more it just amplifies that he will absolutely be traded.”
David Pagnotta: Re Flames: Rasmus Andersson, he’s gonna get moved at some point; but there are other pieces; do we hear Kadri’s name as the season progresses, do we hear Blake Coleman; Mackenzie Weegar’s name always seems to pop up – DFO Rundown (10/22)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) October 23, 2025
But what about Kadri? The veteran is in his fourth year of a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Flames, which pays him $7 million annually, but he, too, is susceptible to the vagaries of the NHL trade market. Noise surrounding Kadri’s trade is not a new development, but the Flames weren’t desperate to part ways with the forward. This season, it could look different.
According to Pagnotta, Calgary is unlikely to replicate the conditions that led to it’s successful campaign last season. “You need everything that went right last season to go right again this season, and you need some other guys to take steps like some of the younger kids. It’s very hard for all of that to kind of happen at the same time. So, you know, do we hear Kadri’s name as the season progresses? Do we hear Blake Coleman?”
For now, it seems that Kadri can only ensure his prolonged stay with the Flames by leading the team to a better outcome in its next match.
