Flames send Nazem Kadri back to Avalanche where he won the Stanley Cup in 2022

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames are sending Nazem Kadri back to Colorado.

The rebuilding Flames also sent a 2027 fourth-round draft pick to the Avalanche ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline. Calgary, which will retain 20 per cent of Kadri’s salary, landed forward Victor Olofsson, the rights to unsigned draft pick Max Curran, a conditional 2028 first-round draft pick and a conditional 2027 second-round pick.

Kadri returns to Colorado after winning a Stanley Cup with the franchise in 2022, producing 15 points in 16 playoff games en route to the championship. Kadri joined Calgary the following off-season, signing a seven-year, US$49 million contract as a free agent.

The 35-year-old from London, Ont., has 12 goals and 41 points through 61 games after scoring a career-high 35 goals last season. He is under contract with a $7-million salary cap hit through the 2028-29 campaign.

In other moves, the Flames added centre Ryan Strome in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft from the Anaheim Ducks. Calgary also reportedly got forward Brennan Othmann from the New York Rangers for prospect Jacob Battaglia.

Strome has three goals and six assists through 33 games this season after producing 41 points in each of his past three campaigns.

The 32-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., is under contract through next season at a US$5-million average annual value.

The rebuilding Flames (24-30-7) are on track to miss the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

Calgary also traded veteran defenceman MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday, and blueliner Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights in January.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2026.

The Canadian Press