Nazem Kadri: Here’s where the Canadiens stand on the issue

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Nazem Kadri: Here’s where the Canadiens stand on the issue
Credit: Getty Images

We recently learned that Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames does not have the Canadiens on his no-trade list. This means that Kent Hughes can go after him without being turned down by the player.

Since the player would be interested in a change of address and the Canadiens are looking for help in the top six, it's not completely illogical to think that the player has a chance to play in Montreal one day.

Theoretically, it's a possibility.

But in reality, it's important to keep in mind that even though the habs haven't lost interest in the veteran center, they've lost their reasons for going after him.

At the start of the season, the club was more motivated to call the Flames to find common ground for Kadri. But according to Marco D'Amico of RG Media, talks have cooled off.

Why? There are several reasons.

In reality, the price to pay is still high, considering that the player is in demand and that the Flames could also retain some of his salary.Kadri has a $7 million per year impact on the cap until 2029.

But above all, the fact that Oliver Kapanen has progressed as he has and that Phillip Danault is back in town are factors that weigh in the balance.

In a negotiation, it's always a matter of having the upper hand and a certain amount of bargaining power. And GMs know that very well.

Kent Hughes, with a much stronger center line than in October, is in a more interesting position.

Of course, it's not a given that the habs won't go after someone like Nazem Kadri. But if they do, it will be because the price is worth it (which I doubt for this season) and not out of desperation.


Overtime

– Interesting.

– Oh, really?

– Listen up.

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