Maple Leafs Trade Pitch: Re-Acquiring Nazem Kadri from the Flames
There are rumors that the Calgary Flames’ forward, Nazem Kadri, might be involved in trade talks that could see him return to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team that originally drafted him. Kadri, who signed a seven-year, $49 million deal with Calgary on August 18, 2022, has three years remaining on his contract. As Calgary enters a rebuild, trading Kadri could help them gain valuable assets to accelerate this process.
The website PuckPedia recently introduced a tool called PuckGM, allowing users to create their own trades. One user suggested a deal in which Kadri would be traded back to the Maple Leafs. The proposed trade details are:
**Maple Leafs receive:**
– Nazem Kadri (with $3.5 million retained)
– 2025 fifth-round pick
– 2026 sixth-round pick
**Flames receive:**
– David Kampf
– Nick Robertson
– Ryan Reaves
– 2025 second-round pick
This trade would involve three players and three draft picks. Kadri’s addition would provide the Maple Leafs with more depth in their forward lineup, benefiting their playoff performance. Kadri was a crucial player for the Colorado Avalanche during their 2022 Stanley Cup win.
For Calgary, acquiring Kampf and Reaves would help balance the salary cap to accommodate Kadri’s deal. The primary assets for Calgary would be Nick Robertson and the second-round pick. Robertson, a restricted free agent, has requested a trade from Toronto due to limited playing opportunities.
Kadri, who has a no-movement clause, would need to approve any trade. NHL insider Darren Dreger reported on June 28 that Kadri is content in Calgary and is considered an essential part of their core. However, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period suggested Kadri might waive his no-movement clause for the right situation, potentially welcoming a return to Colorado.
Last season, Kadri recorded 29 goals and 46 assists for 75 points in 82 games.
**Kadri’s History with the Maple Leafs**
Drafted seventh overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2009 NHL draft, Kadri debuted in the NHL on February 8, 2010, and became a full-time player during the 2013-14 season. He played parts of 10 seasons with Toronto, recording 161 goals and 196 assists for 357 points in 561 regular-season games. In the playoffs, Kadri added 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points in 19 games. Kadri was traded to Colorado on July 1, 2019, after several costly penalties and suspensions in the playoffs.
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