The Toronto Maple Leafs Missing Piece for a Championship Run: Nazem Kadri
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving may have put together their most complete roster in a long time, but there's still one key piece that Toronto needs for success.
This offseason was a big one for the Maple Leafs, as a lot of anticipation was how the roster was going to look after yet another disappointing first-round playoff exit. GM Brad Treliving wasted no time making changes, firing Sheldon Keefe, and bringing in Craig Berube. Then he went out and signed Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa to substantially improve the defense, nabbed a premier backup in Anthony Stolarz, and then added a few veteran pieces in Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz.
The roster, identity, and game plan have changed dramatically from a year ago, however, Toronto is still one key piece away. A true #2 center would be just the addition for the Maple Leafs and while Max Domi has been fantastic in that role so far, he's unproven in the playoffs and John Tavares, unfortunately, isn't the same player he once was. If Toronto wants success in the playoffs, they can't afford to have a less-than-productive Tavares anchoring their second line when it matters most.
There are a variety of options Toronto could go out and try to acquire, however, with one team looking for help, Brad Treliving could go to an old friend to bring back a former Maple Leaf.
Maple Leafs and Nazem Kadri: Reunited Once Again?
If the Toronto Maple Leafs want a true #2 center with playoff experience and the skill set necessary to lead them into a long playoff run, they should try giving their former 7th overall pick a look. Since leaving Toronto, Kadri has become a staunch veteran and learned a lot since his younger days. Now 34, Kadri has molded himself into a highly skilled playmaker with defensive chops to boot; something he was given flak for in Toronto. In his six years split between Calgary and Colorado, Kadri has 290 points in 347 games including a sensational 2021-2022 with the Avalanche where he had 87 points and won the Stanley Cup.
So with the man who brought Kadri into Calgary currently running the show in Toronto, it feels like all of the pieces fit. Kadri has history with both the Maple Leafs and their GM, and a homecoming would give Kadri a better chance at finding playoff success than as a member of the Flames. An upgrade over a declining John Tavares and an unproven Max Domi, Kadri would give the Maple Leafs a lethal option down the middle and could even play the third line if the current second line keeps rolling. Treliving was the one who offered Kadri the money to sign, and he could offer Kadri a chance to win now too.
How Can This Even Happen?
With a lot of heavy lifting. Kadri isn't cheap, coming in at $7M for the next four years, however with today's contract climate that price can be considered a steal. Toronto would need a lot of cap room to clear, however they could entice the Flames to retain 50%, and offer forward Nick Robertson and defenseman Timothy Liljegren; two men who could use a change of scenery and who have previously asked for it. Being a combined $3.8M added to the $3.5M that the Flames retain would make enough room for the Maple Leafs to work with Kadri's contract.
Robertson would instantly slide into the top line alongside new first-line center Martin Pospisil and could see veteran Jonathan Huberdeau line up on the left side. If Calgary really needed to they could try and persuade the Maple Leafs to give up David Kampf too if they wanted a bit of extra insurance down the middle. Liljegren lines up next to Rasmus Andersson on the second pairing, and though both men are right-handed shots, they would be able to persevere and Liljegren may be able to break out.
Kadri comes in and lines up on the third line (given the BMW Line is still driving the Leafs' offense) alongside Pontus Holmberg and Max Pacioretty (if he returns to playing consistently) or the returning Calle Jarnkrok. All three players have offensive potential and with Kadri running the plays, the ability to add a bunch of bottom-six scoring will pay off hugely in the long run.
The season is early, and there is no telling where either team will end up but if things stay on their current trajectory then Calgary and Toronto should come together for a good ol' Canadian business deal and bring back a wiser, more experienced, and more focused Nazem Kadri.
