The Buffalo Sabres are struggling to overcome a flurry of forward injuries, which should put general manager Kevyn Adams on high alert for potential trade targets early in the 2025-26 season.
One possible option has emerged in the NHL rumor mill: Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri.
Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report listed the Sabres as a potential landing spot for Kadri, who's scored 11 points (four goals and seven assists) in 15 games despite Calgary's struggles. The Flames have the league's fewest points (10) so far this season.
"The Sabres must find a healthy replacement for the sidelined Josh Norris on their second line," Richardson wrote. "They're also close to Kadri's hometown of Toronto. However, they currently have $1.6 million in cap space, and he could be reluctant to join a struggling franchise that hasn't made the playoffs in 14 years."
Norris, who's dealt with consistent trips to injured reserve throughout his career, suffered an upper-body injury in Buffalo's season-opening loss to the New York Rangers. He still doesn't have a firm timetable for his return to action.
Calgary Flames' Nazem Kadri would provide a much-needed boost to the Buffalo Sabres offense
The Sabres are struggling in the attacking zone. They rank 19th in goals scored per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (2.4) and their power play is once again a major hindrance to team success, sitting 20th in goals per 60 minutes with the man advantage (6.3), according to Natural Stat Trick.
Last season, Buffalo finished eighth in the NHL with 269 goals scored.
Kadri, a two-time NHL All-Star who's spent the past four years in Calgary after prior stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche would provide an instant infusion of offense.
The 35-year-old center posted 35 goals and 32 assists for the Flames last season. He's also scored 31 power-play goals across 261 appearances for the organization.
He'd be a perfect fit on the Sabres' top line alongside Tage Thompson, who's struggled while being asked to carry a heavy burden offensively, and Zach Benson (once healthy).
There are a couple problems that could prevent a blockbuster trade, though.
First, as Richardson alluded, Buffalo's cap situation is a bit tricky at the moment because of all the call-ups required to fill the holes created by injuries. Kadri carries a $7 million AAV on a contract that runs through the 2028-29 season.
Second, it's unlikely the 2009 first-round pick would have much interest in joining an organization that's a fringe playoff hopeful at best. If he's going to leave Calgary, it'll likely be with an eye toward chasing another Stanley Cup title with a contender.
So, a high-profile swap between the Sabres and Flames is a long shot, but it's situation where Adams should at least be calling Calgary general manager Craig Conroy to see whether it's worth going down the road of trade negotiations.
One thing's for certain: Buffalo needs scoring help as soon as possible.