Flames Rumor: Nazem Kadri Trade ‘Inevitable’ After Latest Comments

Nazem Kadri admitted to the media this week that he has had discussions with Calgary Flames management about his future. And though he added that "I'll keep (it) private", you could say that another answer he gave sort of tipped his hand.

I think everybody has to explore every avenue as to what's best for me, and what's best for the team. Whether that's here or not, I'm not quite sure, but I enjoy being here at the end of the day.
I'm not a ‘one foot out the door’ kind of guy, wherever I am. I exert my full energy and give it 110 per cent, so I try not to let it affect me too much. We're all human in that sense. But you know, I'm a Calgary Flame, and my dedication is to here... For now.

—Nazem Kadri speaking to media

"For now." Ah yes. We all know what that means.

As Eric Francis, who was witness to Kadri's comments, notes, "The Flames are rebuilding, and Kadri wants to win." It sure seems that those two things don't mix.

There isn't a true contender out there that wouldn't love to add Kadri's intense, gritty play to their top six. His Stanley Cup pedigree is another obvious drawing card.

But the Sportsnet writer also writes that the Flames will have to accept quite a bit of retention on those three remaining years of Kadri's contract with a $7 million cap hit. Additionally, he notes, the Flames only have one retention spot left right now, and they might have to use it on a Blake Coleman trade.

All of this potentially adds up to a Kadri trade in the summer, when two more retention slots open up for Calgary.

"Both sides know where this is going," writes Francis. "It’s not speculation anymore. It’s inevitable... The only question left is when."