What Would Nazem Kadri Fetch On The NHL Trade Market This Year?

Last season, Nazem Kadri played like he alone could somehow work and will his Calgary Flames into the playoffs. That version of Kadri would have been a top commodity at the NHL trade deadline, in spite of a somewhat burdensome contract.

With 29 goals and 46 assists for 75 points, Kadri was just shy of his career high totals in each category previously hit with the Toronto Maple Leafs (32 goals) and Colorado Avalanche (59 assists and 87 points).

This year, however, his stats make his trade value much more uncertain. Although he's regularly been mentioned as a candidate to move to a Stanley Cup contender before the deadline, Kadri's numbers are definitely driving down the price.

The 34-year-old Kadri has eight goals and 17 points in 28 games with the Flames so far this season. Pro-rated, that's a 23-goal, 50-point season. Not terrible, but a $7-million AAV for another three seasons following this one does put a damper on talk of a return.

It might be diminishing the number of suitors, too, although talk of a reunion with the Maple Leafs will continue to be a hot trade topic until something happens.

GMs like the Leafs' Brad Treliving will use the contract and statistics as leverage. The Flames will point to last year's numbers and his Stanley Cup winning pedigree to get as much as they can for him.

So what is Kadri's value?

Thankfully, the Flames have a lot of salary cap space for retention to eliminate that issue. They could also take back a bad contract from any buyer. That helps when you're looking at trying to net a prospect and a draft pick as a return.

The better the prospect, the lower the pick, but you can bet any starting point for the Flames will be a first-round pick and decent prospect. That doesn't mean they'll get it, but having the ability to retain salary is a weapon.

If Kadri can get hot in the coming weeks, there's no doubt his value climbs and more teams become interested.