Kadri's vague quote has Calgary Flames fans thinking a trade is coming
The Olympic trade freeze is over, which has many hockey fans turning their sights to the Calgary Flames.
Sitting 29th in league standings, the Flames, who already shipped Rasmus Andersson out of town, may not be done making deals just yet.
The Flames have some depth defencemen, such as Joel Hanley and Brayden Pachal, who could be of use to other teams, while also havingĀ a big trade piece in veteran winger and two-time Stanley Cup champion Blake Coleman.Ā It’s Nazem Kadri, however, who everyone keeps talking about.
Kadri has been discussed in trade speculation all season. The 35-year-old centreman, who has a team-leading 39 points, is in the fourth season of a seven-year, $49-million deal.
Kadri has some control over his future thanks to a 13-team no-trade clause in his contract. That said, during a scrum on Monday, an answer he gave reporters regarding his future has led many to believe he’s very open to playing elsewhere.
“I try not to let it affect me too much, but we’re all human in that sense,” Kadri said regarding the trade rumours. “I’m a Calgary Flame. My dedication is to here for now.”
It’s the final two words of that quote that really stood out.
It appears that Kadri, who isn’t getting any younger, has come to terms with the fact that the Flames are still a ways away from being a Stanley Cup contender. If he hopes to win a second Cup in his career, his best opportunity to do so would come through a trade.
Still, it is far from a guarantee that Kadri will be moved ahead of the trade deadline. His contract, particularly the term, has reportedly caused many teams to be hesitant.
The Flames also have just one retention spot in play. Should they use that to move Coleman ahead of the deadline, it would all but guarantee Kadri finishing out the season in a Flames sweater. If that were to be the case, speculation would ramp back up beginning on July 1, as the Flames will then have two extra retention spots at their disposal.
- You might also like:
- Here's where the next four Olympic Games will be held