Surprise Team Now Added to List of Nazem Kadri Suitors

Nazem Kadri isn't the only valued center on the trade market these days, cooling trade talk a bit latey. But that doesn't mean teams aren't still trying to acquire the gritty, intense, playoff-ready center.

With teams like his former club, the Colorado Avalanche, along with the Dallas Stars, the Carolina Hurricanes, and Montreal Canadiens being some of the more talked-about suitors for the Calgary Flames' veteran, there's a new surprise team revealed that's got Kadri on its radar as well. Elliotte Friedman tells us in his 32 Thoughts column that the Utah Mammoth have "checked in, and no doubt this will pick up."

Why Nazem Kadri is a great trade target for the Utah Mammoth

The Mammoth have a top-nine, or better yet, top-six need on their forward corps, as the team is only middle of the pack in goals-per-game, at 14th in the league. A ten-goal outburst over their last two games heading to the Olympic break doesn't change this need.

They're also dead-last in the NHL in power play goals, and second from the bottom in power play percentage.

The 35-year-old Kadri would bring his offensive skills, his competitiveness and leadership abilities to a franchise that's looking to make its first push into the playoffs in Utah. They currently hold the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

His extensive playoff experience would also be a huge boost to a young forward group that simply doesn't have any up front.

Kadri was a key driver of the Avalanche's Stanley Cup run in 2022, and overall, he has 30 goals in 82 career playoff games, with a +24 rating. He'd be a transformative player for a Mammoth team that really wants to make some postseason noise.