The Montreal Canadiens find themselves back in the Top 3 of the Atlantic Division entering Monday, but general manager Kent Hughes might need to make some trades before the deadline to remain there. If they do make a trade, though, it seems that Nazem Kadri won't be one of the players they add.
According to Marco D'Amico of RG.org, the Canadiens were interested early in the season in a potential trade for Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri. However, D'Amico reported that the interest has gone away over the past few weeks.
The center position was certainly a concern for the Canadiens earlier in the season and was one of the reasons they traded with the Los Angeles Kings to bring Phillip Danault back to Montreal. The Canadiens made the trade, sending a second-round pick to Los Angeles, towards the end of December.
Montreal Canadiens seemingly decided to trade with Phillip Danault instead of Narem Kadri
When considering D'Amico noted that the buzz has cooled since the new year, it seems the Canadiens were essentially deciding between Kadri and Danault. The fact that it would have required a much bigger return going to Calgary than what they gave up to the Kings to get Kadri, they probably felt they got more value with Danault.
Since the trade, Danault has played in 19 games for Montreal with two goals and five assists with an average ice time of 15:53. He certainly is playing better now than with the Kings, as he had only five points in 30 games with Los Angeles.
In addition to Danault, the Canadiens have gotten more production across the board from the center position. That includes Oliver Kapanen, as the second-year center has played better as the season has gone along. In January, Kapanen played in 16 games and had six goals and four assists, with both stats the most he has had in a single month this season.
That is probably why the Canadiens are no longer pursuing Kadri because they really don't have a spot for him in the lineup. This doesn't mean that Hughes won't make a trade, but the focus probably shifts to other spots in the lineup to try to improve before the trade deadline.