Nazem Kadri’s Trade Back to Colorado
On March 6, 2026, Nazem Kadri was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Colorado Avalanche, marking a notable return for the veteran forward. This trade comes after Kadri had previously spent three successful seasons with the Avalanche, culminating in a Stanley Cup victory in 2022.
The Flames received a conditional 2028 first-round pick, a conditional 2027 second-round draft pick, forward Victor Olofsson, and the rights to forward Max Curran in exchange for Kadri. As part of the deal, Calgary will retain 20 percent of Kadri’s salary, which has a cap hit of $7 million and runs through the 2028-29 season.
At the time of the trade, Kadri had recorded 12 goals and 29 assists in 61 games for the Flames this season, contributing to his impressive career totals of 319 goals and 751 points across 1,046 games played. His performance has earned him NHL All-Star selections in both 2022 and 2023.
Victor Olofsson, who has 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 60 games this season, and Max Curran, who boasts 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 31 games for the Edmonton Oil Kings, are expected to bolster the Flames’ roster as they look to improve their current standing, which sees them at 15th in the Western Conference.
Reflecting on the trade, Kadri expressed mixed emotions, stating, “One minute you think you’re out the door, and the next minute you think you’re staying, and the next minute you think you’re out, and you’re staying again. It’s a lot of flip-flopping.” He also thanked the Flames for their handling of the situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining connections with veteran players.
Calgary’s General Manager, Conroy, noted the significance of acquiring assets and picks to help the team move in the right direction, stating, “The whole thing is to get back in the playoffs, to get going in the right direction and have these assets and the picks.”
As Kadri rejoins the Avalanche, the implications of this trade are significant for both teams. The Flames aim to rebuild and strengthen their roster, while Kadri returns to a familiar environment where he previously achieved great success.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full impact of this trade on the teams’ future strategies and playoff aspirations.
