Calgary Flames reportedly ready to retain salary in possible Kadri trade

Almost nothing went right for the Calgary Flames for the first two months of the season, but their fortunes have begun to turn around.

Still, they are only two points out of the last place spot in the Atlantic Division, and a few losses could have them right back at square one at the bottom of the standings.

One of the most talked about players in Flames trade rumours, aside from defenseman Rasmus Andersson, is veteran forward Nazem Kadri, who is playing in the fourth year of a seven year contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $7 million that he signed in 2022, just weeks after helping the Colorado Avalanche win the 2022 Stanley Cup.

Per a new report from NHL analyst David Pagnotta, the Flames are allegedly willing to retain a portion of Kadri's salary if they were to trade him between now and the Deadline.

So far this year, Kadri has 31 points (8G, 23A) in 36 games. He's coming off a career-best 35 goals last year, but has yet to play a single playoff game in a Flames sweater since lifting the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.

Even before the season began, both Andersson and Kadri found their names heavily involved in trade rumours.

Andersson is perhaps the more likely of trade candidates, as he's in the last year of his current contract with an AAV of $4.55 million.

He has 25 points (7G, 18A) in 36 games.