The Minnesota Wild rocked the hockey world after making a big move. They facilitated a huge blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks, acquiring star defenseman Quinn Hughes. Following the trade, the Wild remain undefeated and are in talks to become serious Stanley Cup contenders.
It appears that Wild GM Bill Guerin is going all-in this season as the Wild continue to look to improve their roster. The Calgary Flames, on the other hand, are expected to be full-fledged sellers by the time the trade deadline rolls around and have some notable veterans generating serious interest in the league.
One of those names is Nazem Kadri. With the Flames still in the bottom five, will Kadri want out, and if so, where would he take his talents? There are several teams in the mix, but the Wild have emerged as potential candidates if Kadri becomes available.
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Wild are reportedly willing to acquire Kadri
According to insider Anthony Di Marcothe Wild could be eyeing Kadri as a potential trade candidate to strengthen their roster. While he still has a hefty contract, the Wild still view him as a player who fits their hockey style and system. Here’s more of what he had to say:
“I’ve heard from team sources that the Wild like it Calgary flames center Nazem Kadri. Kadri, 35, comes with a hefty AAV of $7 million through 2029, but would (at least on paper) check all the boxes for the Wild; as a center and someone who has guts, Kadri would certainly fit well in a Guerin-type team. “But given Kadri’s age and contract, I think the Flames should hold on to a potential deal for the Wild to enjoy.”
“The Flames are willing to keep Kadri if the price is right, but the amount will depend on whether they can clear it with ownership. Assuming ownership gives the green light, I’m told the Flames are open to retaining up to 50 percent, according to team sources. Speaking to people close to the Minnesota situation, I get the feeling the Wild would be open to giving up a first-round pick and a prospect if the Flames make Kadri a $5 million upside (or less) player.”
Di Marco also mentions that Kadri’s 13-team no-trade list currently includes the Minnesota Wild. However, this doesn’t mean the deal between these two teams is dead, as players on a no-trade list could be persuaded to make an exception if they think the deal is a good one.
What assets would the Flames look for in a Kadri trade?
With the Wild willing to make a move for Kadri, the ball is in the Flames’ court. However, in order to make a move, the Wild must match the Flames’ price for the 35-year-old.
It’s not yet clear what the Flames actually want for Kadri, but a deal that revolves around a top spot and a prospect is likely the bare minimum. Let’s see what the Wild has to offer:
Design choices
The Wild have a relatively good amount of draft capital. They have their own 1st in 2027, but they don’t have a 2nd in 2026 or 2027; they do have one in 2028. For mid-round picks, the Wild pretty much own their own picks for the next two drafts.
In a Kadri trade, getting 1st back is a must for the Flames, so they will likely target the Wild’s pick in 2027. They may also look at 2nd in 2028.
Outlook
As far as their prospect pool goes, the Wild have one that’s probably in the middle of the league. Their top prospect in Zeev Buium was shipped to Vancouver as part of the Hughes trade, so there are some small gains here if I’m being honest.
I think the Flames would be interested in a player like Charlie Stramel. He was a first-round pick by the Wild in 2023 and currently has 18 points in 16 games with Michigan State University. Riley Heidt could be another player the Flames are looking at. The 20-year-old has nine points so far with the Iowa Wild and was also a second-round pick in 2023. Both players are listed as centers.
Some wingers could interest the Flames, such as Danila Yurov and Ryder Ritchie. I don’t see the Wild trading Yurov, but Ritchie could be another potential piece. He currently has 11 points in 18 games for Boston University and is originally from Calgary.
Roster of players
I really don’t see the Flames taking players back in a Kadri trade. There isn’t a player currently on the Wild’s roster that would make sense for Calgary to acquire. In any case, the Wild would likely dump a player’s contract in a separate deal before acquiring Kadri, but they would still require retention.
Final thoughts
On paper, Kadri would be a huge asset for the Wild. The team’s center depth isn’t the best right now, and adding Kadri to the mix would only strengthen the rumors of Minnesota as a contender. If the Flames maintain their payroll, they can make a pretty decent return.
The main question is whether Kadri would even agree to join the Wild. But with the Flames not even close to contention, the Wild are in a much better spot right now. The franchise as a whole hasn’t had much playoff success, but the acquisition of Hughes just proves that the team isn’t messing around. Adding Kadri would only make them stronger, as Kadri is a player who does well in the postseason and wants to win before ultimately having to hang them up.
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