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Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson have occasionally surfaced in the NHL rumor mill this season.
Speculation has dogged the 34-year-old Kadri since last summer while Andersson’s eligibility for UFA status in 2026 had some observers pondering his future in the Stampede City.
Kadri, Andersson and blueliner MacKenzie Weegar aren’t going anywhere, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. He reported last Saturday the Flames aren’t listening to trade offers for those three as they jockey for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference.
Kadri and Weegar are on long-term contracts with full no-trade protection. Meanwhile, the Flames remain confident of signing Andersson to a contract extension.
The Flames could become buyers instead by the March 7 NHL trade deadline. Last week, they acquired forwards Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee from the Philadelphia Flyers but could try to add another center.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday the Flames were considering Dylan Cozens to address their need for a right-shot center. He added they’re not the only club interested in the 23-year-old, claiming two-thirds of the league have called the Buffalo Sabres to inquire about his availability.
The Flames want players with term remaining on their contracts rather than rental players. Cozens would tick that box as he’s signed through 2029-30. LeBrun suggested it would take a hockey trade to pry Cozens away from the Sabres. They’re not interested in futures like draft picks and prospects.
Related: ‘I Think That’s The Goal’: Nazem Kadri Explains Why The Calgary Flames Should Buy, Not Sell
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers’ reacquisition of J.T. Miller has worked out well thus far. The 31-year-old center has four points in his first three games with the Blueshirts.
Rangers GM Chris Drury could have another move up his sleeve by the trade deadline. The New York Post‘s Larry Brooks pointed out they have over $16 million in projected deadline cap space.
Brooks speculated Drury could make moves “of the short-term variety” that would determined by the club’s performance before the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off and the lead-up to the trade deadline. On Feb. 3, Remy Mastey cited Brooks suggesting the Rangers could seek a third-line center, depending on the cost. He doesn’t see them doing many rental deals just to qualify for the final wild-card spot.
Brennan Othmann is one player Brooks doesn’t want the Rangers to use as trade bait at the deadline. He believes peddling the promising 22-year-old winger for a playoff rental player would be a mistake.
Related: Trading For J.T. Miller Doesn’t Fix The New York Rangers’ Glaring Problem
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