The Dallas Stars made a small but intriguing move earlier this week, acquiring 23-year-old defenseman Jeremie Poirier from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Gavin White. While both players have primarily played in the AHL, NHL insiders suggest this minor transaction could be a precursor to a much larger deal.
Nazem Kadri, a veteran center for the Calgary Flames, is at the center of trade rumors. He has reportedly said he would be open to joining a contender before the NHL trade deadline. Kadri has three years left on his contract and a $7 million cap hit. His ability to score and toughness make him a good target for teams like the Stars that want to add depth to their top-six forwards.
Dallas Stars reportedly eye Calgary Flames’ Nazem Kadri for trade
After Monday's 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, rumors about Nazem Kadri have reached a fever pitch. The center, who is 35 years old and was the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, has scored 316 goals and 745 points in 1,039 career games. Kadri has a minus-61 rating since joining Calgary before the 2022–23 season, but his proven scoring ability and playoff experience make him a player that teams want to have if they want to go deep in the playoffs.
The Montreal Canadiens are said to be less interested, but the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, and Minnesota Wild are still possible places for him to land. All four teams want to improve the depth of their top six forwards, and Kadri's style could fit in with any of these teams. The recent deal between Stars GM Jim Nill and Flames GM Craig Conroy could be a model for a future Kadri trade. This suggests that the Stars are quietly getting ready for a big roster change.
But with trade rumors swirling, the NHL world will be watching closely to see if Dallas makes its move for Nazem Kadri before the deadline, potentially reshaping the team’s offensive strategy down the stretch.