Nazem Kadri linked back to Maple Leafs in new trade proposal

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Graham Montgomery
July 27, 2024 (6:08 PM)

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Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri has been involved in trade rumors for some time now as the team continues their rebuild, opening the possibility that he could come back to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Are the Leafs done for the summer? Brad Treliving appears to have made all his big moves already. Now that August is just around the corner, it appears as though a Mitch Marner trade won't be happening. But is Treliving really satisfied with the team he's put together? That much is hard to say.

Certainly, the Leafs could benefit from the addition of another big name player, perhaps one the team is already familiar with. Could Nazem Kadri be a potential fit? Let's take a look at the proposed offer.

Maple Leafs get:

Nazem Kadri (with $3.5 million retained)
2025 fifth-round pick
2026 sixth-round pick

Flames get:

David Kampf
Nick Robertson
Ryan Reaves
2025 second-round pick

This trade dies feel a bit lopsided in favor of the Leafs. They would be getting Kadri for four more seasons at a cap hit of just 3.5 million dollars, which would largely erase concerns about his age.

In return, The Flames get a depth forward in David Kampf, a B level prospect in Nick Robertson, a second round draft pick, and effectively a cap dump in Ryan Reaves. Would that be enough to entice the Flames to move Kadri? Perhaps, but it might be a tough sell.

Complicating this trade is the fact that Kadri has a full no trade clause for the next two seasons. As such, he would have to waive it in order to facilitate this deal. As he said in his exit-interview, he likes playing in Calgary, so this is just one more hurdle to get over.

«It's a terrific place to play. I've enjoyed my time here.»

Nazem Kadri speaks with the media about his play this season, the team growing together and more.

Essentially, the entire premise of the trade revolves around the fact that Kadri might be looking for a change of scenery come the trade deadline once he realizes he would be wasting a year of his career by staying with the Flames, who are very unlikely to make the playoffs next season.

"Come February, and this is a season and a half where you aren't playing meaningful games, maybe Kadri does just ask politely to move to a better situation? But all indications right now are that he likes being a Calgary Flame."

Could it happen? Of course, we have seen stranger things happen in the NHL before. That doesn't mean it is likely though.

Source: Heavy.com
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