NHL Notebook: Kadri informs Flames he’s open to being traded; Rangers holding Panarin out amid trade talks

Welcome back to NHL Notebook — the series here at CanucksArmy where we deliver you news and notes from around the National Hockey League — oftentimes through a Vancouver Canucks-tinted lens!

The Olympic break is fast approaching, but that doesn’t mean the NHL rumour mill and hot stove are slowing down. On this Wednesday afternoon, two items are certainly worth your attention. First, we look at a Canucks Pacific Division rival.

Kadri reportedly informs Flames he’s open to being traded

The smoke is starting to thicken and trade talks involving several other Flames players have picked up in the last few days. Those conversations will continue leading up to the Olympic roster freeze on Feb. 4 at 3pm ET and carry out through the March 6 trade deadline. Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, Ryan Lomberg, Mackenzie Weegar and newly-acquired Zach Whitecloud are among those believed to be generating interest.

In the case of Kadri, multiple sources have confirmed that while he has not formally requested a trade, he and his camp have informed the Flames he is open to being moved.

Fresh off dealing defenceman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this month, the Flames’ season hasn’t gone the way they hoped it would after they narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season. Currently, the Flames sit 30th in the NHL standings, with 48 points through 52 games.

And of course, that — the Flames’ spot in the standings today — is why this news matters if you’re a Canucks fan.

A Flames sell off of Kadri (and potentially even more veteran players) would theoretically cause the Flames to lose more games, and the Canucks are obviously hoping that they are able to retain the best odds at landing the first overall pick at this year’s draft when the season comes to an end. Currently, nine points separate the Canucks from the Flames, though the Flames have played one fewer game than the Canucks. The St. Louis Blues have one fewer point than the Flames with 47, and have played one more game than Calgary.

The Flames have lost four straight games since trading Rasmus Andersson, with two overtime defeats and two regulation losses. This will be a situation to keep an eye on for Canucks fans.

Rangers holding out Panarin amid trade rumours

When the New York Rangers sent out their letter to fans declaring that they would be retooling the team, it became clear that they likely wouldn’t be extending pending UFA winger Artemi Panarin. Panarin will turn 35 next season but is still producing at above a point per game despite the Rangers’ struggles.

This makes him one of the most attractive options in the current NHL trade market, and the Rangers seem well aware of that.

Ahead of the Rangers’ game against the New York Islanders this evening, news broke that they would be holding Panarin out for “roster reasons”, and according to multiple NHL insiders, he isn’t expected to play before the NHL Olympic freeze.

Including their game tonight, the Rangers have four games left before the NHL schedule’s Olympic break.

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