Report: Maple Leafs, Canadiens among teams interested in Kadri

The Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings are among the teams to kick the tires on Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

Kadri is signed through 2028-29 with a $7-million cap hit and a 13-team no-trade list. While nothing appears to be imminent, there have reportedly been ongoing conversations between Calgary's front office and Kadri's camp. Kadri wants to do what's best for the Flames, but he also wants to chase a Stanley Cup, Dreger adds.

The Flames, who enter Tuesday sitting 28th in the NHL's standings, are clear deadline sellers after sending defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.

Kadri, 35, leads the Flames with 34 points in 49 appearances this season. He's averaged 25 goals and 34 assists per 82 games throughout his 17-year NHL career.

He previously played for both the Maple Leafs and the Avalanche. He began his career with Toronto and played 10 seasons with the club before he was dealt to Colorado, where he played three campaigns and won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Current Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving also signed Kadri to his current contract while with the Flames. However, neither the Maple Leafs nor the Avalanche has a pressing need at center.

The same can't be said for Montreal and Los Angeles. The Kings have been without captain Anze Kopitar due to injury since Jan. 5 and traded away Phillip Danault to the Canadiens in December. While Danault helps Montreal's bottom six, Kadri would represent an upgrade over Oliver Kapanen as the team's second-line center. Kadri also notably grew up as a Canadiens fan.