Nazem Kadri's Potential Return: Insider's Report Sparks Excitement Among Maple Leafs Fans

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Chris Gerics
December 2, 2024 (8:01 PM)

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According to one prominent NHL insider on his latest podcast, Nazem Kadri may be on his way to a reunion with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It's no secret the Maple Leafs need to add not only third-line scoring but also a defensively sound center who can come in and make an impact at both ends of the ice. There have been several names thrown around from Brock Nelson to Sidney Crosby.

However, there's one name that keeps popping up. So much so that NHL insider Jeff Marek believes that Nazem Kadri will be inquired about regarding a potential reunion with his former team.

Marek believes that the Maple Leafs' history with not only Kadri but the Flames organization in general, plus Toronto's need for scoring and defense would bring them closer to a reunion than not:

«I have a hard time believing that somewhere down the road that the Maple Leafs don't make a pitch for, or have a conversation about Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames,» Marek said.

He also mentions that Toronto could be looking at their division rivals Florida and realize that while they may be able to do alright against them, they need that impact player to push them past the notoriously difficult Panthers:

"I think they're looking at the Florida Panthers and saying 'if we're going to get out of this division, we have to go through them, we need more toughness and more toughness down the middle.' I do really wonder if there's a conversation about Nazem Kadri and the Toronto Maple Leafs."

Kadri's addition would help alleviate the Maple Leafs scoring issues, as Toronto has had the majority of their goals from seven players:

- William Nylander (15)
- John Tavares (10)
- Mitch Marner (9)
- Matthew Knies (9)
- Bobby McMann (6)
- Auston Matthews (5)
- Morgan Rielly (4)
- Steven Lorentz (3)

That equates to 82.8% of Toronto's goals being scored by the same seven players. While it's understandable that names like Nylander and Marner are up there, Auston Matthews' slow start and lack of bottom-line production have hurt them dearly.

Kadri would be welcomed back with open arms in the locker room and it's not like it's a new face walking into the locker room. He already has history with Rielly, Tavares, and Marner, plus would be a great veteran addition for names like Knies and McMann.

He would be a bit expensive though, coming in at a $7M cap hit for the next four seasons, and it's unclear if Toronto would be willing to commit so much money to a player who will be 38 when all is said and done.

This year, Kadri is enjoying another solid season, with 15 points in 25 games with Calgary. Since being drafted 7th overall by Toronto in 2009, Kadri has gone on to score 658 points in 928 games (280G, 378A) and enjoyed a breakout season where he won a Stanley Cup to go with an 87-point outburst.

FAQ: Insider Believes Nazem Kadri And Maple Leafs Will Reunite

Q1: Who is the insider who links Kadri to the Maple Leafs and why?

A1: Former Sportsnet analyst and '32 Thoughts' co-host Jeff Marek believes that Nazem Kadri and the Maple Leafs will reunite because of Kadri's history with the team, coupled with their need for offense and defense from the third-line center, it's the perfect fit.

Q2: What can Toronto do in order to get their offense going again?

A2: Considering the team has had a lot of different injuries, the team has tried using a variety of different lines, as well as callups that include rookies Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin, as well as signing Alex Nylander to help fill those holes.

In closing, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nazem Kadri are the perfect fit for each other, and while there may be some turmoil over how things went down the first time; there's new management in town and that may be enough to bring Kadri back home to end his career.