Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson have occasionally surfaced in the NHL rumor mill this season. Speculation has dogged the 34-year-old Kadri since last summer while Andersson's eligibility for UFA status in 2026 had some observers pondering his future in the Stampede City.

Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

With the 4 Nations Face-Off break approaching, the trade deadline looms large and is about a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make?

Nathan MacKinnon had three second-period assists to regain the NHL points lead, Martin Necas scored twice and added an assist and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 4-2 on Thursday night.

Necas has eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games since being acquired by Colorado with Jack Drury in a three-team trade involving the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks that sent Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to the Hurricanes.