NHL Rumors: Nazem Kadri a Rangers trade target, and a meme sparked J.T. Miller rumors

Anthony Scultore |

May 25, 2021

The Avalanche might move on from Nazem Kadri this summer, Larry Brooks suggests the Rangers should consider trading for him. The NHL rumors mill keeps cranking and we make a pitstop in New York before we head to a crazy story in Vancouver.

Rangers should target Nazem Kadri

The Avalanche may be moving on from Nazem Kadri this offseason. The recently suspended center may be exposed to the Seattle Kraken in the draft, if they opt not to bite he could be traded.

If the Avalanche make Kadri available to Seattle in the expansion draft, do the Kraken select him? And if not, would the Flames make another bid for his services? Remember, the Flames had a deal in place for Kadri a couple of years back that would have sent Toronto TJ Brodie, and Kadri nixed it …
The Athletic

nazem kadri rangers — May 19, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) checks St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (72) in the third period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Kadri would be ejected from the game for an illegal hit to the head. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Kadri is 30 years-old and has one more season on his contract with an AAV of $4.5 million. This season he recorded 11 goals and 32 points in 56 games, and will certainly garner some interest if he’s available. One such team would be the New York Rangers according to one top beat writer.

Kadri has the type of unsavory on-ice reputation the Rangers seem to make a business of staying away from at least since Daniel Carcillo’s brief 2013-14 run. He may not be of the Tom Wilson grade when it comes to lack of conscience, but each one of Kadri’s six suspensions relate to some sort of an illegal blow to the head. That includes this current one for when he blasted St. Louis’ defenseless Justin Faulk into smithereens.
Larry Brooks, NY Post

The Blueshirts certainly could use a gritty third line center, and the cost of acquiring Kadri would br reasonable if he became available. His age is a concern, as is his penchant for getting suspended at the worse times. But his edgy play and 52% face-off winning percentage makes sense for the Rangers.

Also Read:
Nazem Kadri will appeal suspension and may use outside counsel apart from NHLPA

J.T. Miller rumors sparked by a meme

jt miller meme — Jan 28, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (9) checks Ottawa Senators defenseman Braydon Coburn (55) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Elliotte Friedman recently spoke with J.T. Miller to find out if he wants a change of scenery. “No, he does not want to be traded,” Friedman said on Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines. “He wants to be a Vancouver Canuck. He has no intention of leaving. We have a good team here and he wants to be a part of it.”

The story took a bit of a strange turn yesterday when Miller’s agent, Brian Bartlett said this all started because of a meme.

“I’m not even sure how this turned into a story,” replied Bartlett. “J.T. has loved Vancouver and we’ve never discussed him wanting out. It seems like someone just made up a meme with a totally fake quote then J.T. was able to quickly set the recordstraight. No fire at all for fake smoke!”
The Province

J.T. Miller is 28 years old and has two years left on his current deal with an AAV of $5.25 million. He was also singled out by Canucks ownership as one of the key players on the team. So all this because of a meme huh? Scary the power of the internet sometimes.