Canadiens Show 'Moderate' Interest in Kadri and Coleman Trades

Trade rumours continue to swirl around the Calgary Flames following Sunday’s deal that sent defenceman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights. With the pending free-agent blueliner gone, attention has now shifted to veteran forwards Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman as players who could be the next out of Calgary. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported Tuesday on Insider Trading that general manager Craig Conroy has been having ongoing discussions with Kadri’s camp regarding a deal, adding that there’s been some level of interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and maybe the Dallas Stars. Dreger spoke on TSN690 this morning and expanded on the level of interest shown by the Canadiens in the pair of forwards. “[The interest level is] Moderate. You’re talking about a 35-year-old player who still has three years remaining on his contract,” Dreger said Wednesday. “I wouldn’t say that Nazem Kadri is high on the list for Kent Hughes.” Kadri has nine goals and 34 points in 49 games this season, his fourth with the Flames. The London, Ont., native is in the fourth year of a seven-year deal he signed with the club as an unrestricted free agent in 2022. The contract carries a $7 million AAV and will run through the 2028-29 season, expiring when Kadri is 38 years old. “You’re looking at Michael Hage, who’s on his way and you certainly don’t want to block what he may be at the NHL level,” said Dreger. “But in theory, let’s say it takes him two-plus years to get up to speed. There is a world where you can visualize Nazem Kadri for a couple of seasons then, as a 37-year-old, you deal with it at that point.” Kadri’s 13-team no-trade list gives him some level of control over where he is moved but Dreger says he and agent Darren Ferris are working with the Flames to find the best deal for both sides. “Kadri is 35 and he wants to win a Stanley Cup. But he also wants to do what’s best for the Flames,” said Dreger. “I think the message from Darren Ferris is that he doesn’t have full trade protection, so here are the cities and opportunities he values and could see himself being a decent fit. And in that conversation, I think Montreal is part of that.” TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun has previously connected the Canadiens to Coleman saying the 34-year-old winger is “high on their list.” Coleman has scored 13 goals and 21 points in 44 games this season and has one year remaining on his contract at $4.9 million that comes with a 10-team trade approved trade list. “He’s probably a better all-around fit but the Calgary Flames don’t want to trade him because of his value to the team and the transition phase they’re going through,” Dreger said of Coleman. “You’d have to pay a premium for Blake Coleman. I don’t want to speculate on what prospect that might be. It would not be Michael Hage. Go through the pool of prospects the Canadiens have and it would probably cost them one of those pieces and a draft pick to get Coleman or Kadri. “The question will be if, capital IF here, Hughes is willing to engage on Kadri or Coleman, what prospect are you looking to get back?” The Canadiens acquired another veteran forward earlier this season when they traded a second-round pick to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Phillip Danault. As a result, LeBrun reported that Montreal is in no hurry to make their next move and could wait for the Olympic break to assess if they are going to add another piece to the roster. Kadri has 316 goals and 428 assists for 744 points in 1,034 career games with the Flames, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was selected seventh overall by the Leafs in the 2009 NHL Draft. Coleman has recorded 163 goals and 311 points in 668 career games with the Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils. The Plano, Texas, native was drafted 75th overall by the Devils in 2011. The Canadiens (28-15-7) currently sit third in the Atlantic Division with 63 points. The Flames (21-23-5) are last in the Pacific Division and second last in the Western Conference with 47 points.