With all due respect to Kyle Dubas’ failure to re-sign Zach Hyman, the decision to acquire Nazem Kadri was probably his biggest blunder involving an established roster player. Perhaps because of that blunder, there is overwhelming interest among a corner of the Toronto Maple Leafs fandom that there is a desire to right that wrong, even though Kadri is now a 35-year-old and has signed a $7 million AAV contract until he’s 38. Brad Treliving once thought that deal was a good idea, maybe he could do it again.
The Kadri situation is complicated because there are a lot of hurt feelings involved. Kadri was injured by the Leafs, and whether it was Dubas or Brendan Shanahan who was responsible for the decision to part ways with Kadri, neither is with the organization anymore and that level of awkwardness is gone.
The much more real pain might be the rift between the Calgary Flames and Brad Treliving. In theory, you’d think front offices would adopt the “it’s not personal, it’s business” philosophy, but in practice, doing business often involves a lot of emotional and spiteful decisions, and unless the Flames feel like they have an opportunity to deceive the Maple Leafs, a deal might not even be possible. Not to finish this post in 200 words, we’ll assume that the Flames and Treliving can get past their feelings.
Why the Leafs should be interested in Kadri
The first reason, before we delve deeper into who Kadri is as a player, is that options are limited. The unicorn of a 2o-something with blazing speed who could one day push for a 100-point season probably won’t hit the trade market and if they do, the Leafs who don’t have a first-round pick for the next few seasons won’t be the highest bidder. Making concessions on speed, salary and age will be important, and Toronto can’t delay the opportunity to look at Kadri.
As for Kadri as a player, there are a lot of positives here. Kadri may not be fast, but he moves the puck quickly and that’s a good start for Toronto.
The fact that Kadri is a center is also a big plus. That gives Toronto a lot of flexibility in moving Kadri or Tavares to the wing.
Kadri is a puck mover/carrier and is another asset for the Leafs. While not a Marner, it may be the best Marner-lite option available. He’s no Nylander when he carries the puck, but he moves the puck almost as well and keeps the Leafs’ top nine forwards from being forced into a dump and chase mentality. Kadri also brings a bit more responsibility from 60 meters to the forward group, although he is by no means a penalty killer or close to Marner’s defensive skills.
The big thing Kadri brings that both Berube and Treliving are craving is some more sandpaper. Kadri plays with an advantage and when he is not serving suspensions because of that advantage, he usually tempts the opponent into taking penalties against him. If caring is defined by the extent to which a player pushes opponents after the whistle, Kadri will care a lot.
Why the Flames would take on the Leafs
The short answer is that with a 13-team no-trade list, the Leafs may be one of the best options.
Things could be a lot easier if Kadri still had a full no-movement clause dictating who he would accept a trade with. In theory, Toronto would be a good option in that situation. A no-trade list of 13 teams gives the Flames a lot more flexibility and it’s easy to see that there are 17 teams in the NHL looking to add a center spot, but Darren Ferris, Kadri’s agent, is pretty crafty and if he’s adjusted the list to be playoff teams in the Eastern Conference (minus the few Kadri would want to play for) and the potential trade destinations behind If you want Kadri or teams in the Pacific that Calgary wouldn’t want to trade, the list of teams willing and able to make a trade with the Flames is probably much more limited.
The Flames also have a potential advantage as Brad Treliving may be one of the GMs who values Kadri the most. He’s the GM who brought Kadri to Calgary and it’s possible he would pay the ultimate price to get him back. (This speculation should worry Leafs fans somewhat.)
And while the Leafs may not make a first-round pick in the next few seasons, the Leafs do have youthful assets that could have some appeal and if Calgary can manage to get out of the $7 million multi-year deal without taking back a similar one. Players like Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson and Calle Jarnkrok would allow the Leafs to free up salary by sending them west and are serviceable or convertible options for the Flames.
The Leafs also have the option to offer a goaltender, which with Dustin Wolf having graduated to the NHL, is a necessary position in the Flames prospect pool. There may also be some interest in near-NHL ready assets like Jacob Quillan, or a high upside target like Miroslav Holinka. And with the Flames already having two first-round picks this year, they may be willing to wait until 2028 for the Leafs’ first-round pick, especially since another first-round pick will likely be part of the return for Rasmus Andersson.
Eligibility
There is a good chance that these clubs are still not interested in doing business together. And there’s a good chance the Leafs won’t be able to get Kadri’s salary under the cap. There are also pretty good odds that one of the 17 possible teams Kadri could be traded to has a more attractive first-round pick or prospects that better suit Calgary’s needs. And maybe I’m just a Leafs fan looking longingly at the Kadri jersey hanging in the back of his closet, hoping to bring it out again.
If Kadri isn’t for the Leafs, Brad Treliving should consider Nazem as a model for the ideal Leafs target. Instead of hoping for someone who can be elevated to a top line, someone who will fit comfortably on the top line. Someone who can move the puck comfortably, and perhaps a player who offers additional benefits such as contract term, playing center, and who has a physical or gritty element to his game. There is a lot to hope for and that’s why it makes sense to try Kadri.
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