Maple Leafs' Only Shot at Kadri Trade Could Depend on One Key Factor
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
According to one analyst on social media, the Maple Leafs' best chance to bring Nazem Kadri back depends on whether or not he has other destinations in mind.
There's a lot of talk recently regarding not only the Maple Leafs and what kinds of moves they are going to make, but who the team is actually going to target.
Linked to names including Jared McCann, Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn (they love the Blues), Erik Karlsson, and Dougie Hamilton among others.
But the one name who repeatedly pops up who makes a ton of sense for the team is Nazem Kadri. The former Maple Leaf has made quite the career for himself including a Stanley Cup win in 2022.
If Nazem Kadri commits, Toronto has a great chance to land him
He's heard the rumors, and isn't shying away from them, but there's really nothing that can be guaranteed to bring him over here.
Or is there?
According to analyst Willyston Riellander on X, one particular factor that hinges on whether or not Toronto can acquire him is if he does something that every fan hopes for: commitment.
Nick Kypreos had not only the Maple Leafs, but the Canadiens as a potential destination for Kadri, and on his updated trade board mentioned that Toronto's going to continue to try and work with Calgary, even if that's a big ask:
Two teams that Kadri continues to be linked to and appear to be willing to lift his no-move clause for are the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto's Brad Treliving has tried numerous times to trade with his old club in the past only to be shut down by the Flames on Tanev, Zadorov and Andersson, so it may be a stretch for the Leafs to land Kadri.
Toronto's Brad Treliving has tried numerous times to trade with his old club in the past only to be shut down by the Flames on Tanev, Zadorov and Andersson, so it may be a stretch for the Leafs to land Kadri.
Is Toronto as appealing a destination as Montreal?
Kadri heading to Montreal also makes sense given that he would still be closer to Ontario, he can help the younger players like Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slavkofsky, Cole Caufield, Josh Roy, and Nick Suzuki as they continue to grow.
The Canadiens are also quietly becoming a powerhouse, and while they are still young clearly; they've got some incredible talent.
That could appeal to Kadri, though their window to win is much further away from the Maple Leafs and he is getting older.
Plus, he'll get the chance to play with not only Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly (all former teammates) but get to help teach guys like Matthew Knies, Nick Robertson and Bobby McMann; plus Easton Cowan when he comes up.
They are also much closer to winning a Cup than Montreal, and there's something special about Kadri coming back through all the turmoil to lead his old team to glory.
Since leaving Toronto, Kadri has six season with Colorado and Calgary. He's registered 353 points in 424 games (146 goals, 207 assists) and won a Cup with the Avs in 2022.
So it would be pretty great to see Kadri come back, but if the Maple Leafs want to be sure he comes over, they'll need to make sure he feels they are the only available option.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 1613 ANSWERS Maple Leafs' Only Shot at Kadri Trade Could Depend on One Key Factor Will Nazem Kadri end up playing for the Maple Leafs in 2025-26? | ||
| Yes | 575 | 35.6 % |
| No | 1038 | 64.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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