Two former Maple Leafs centers shape the trade market as Dreger says the price could rise
Photo credit: TSN (left), Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images (right)
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, two former Maple Leafs centers in Nazem Kadri and Ryan O'Reilly may set the pace for the trade market as the deadline approaches.
With the 2026 Olympics in the rearview mirror, all focus turns back to the resumption of the NHL season, and with the trade deadline only a little ways away -- teams aren't going to have much time to work with.
Hopefully they did their homework while they had the last two weeks off, but things can change in a heartbeat, and for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, they are going to need some help if they want to bring in any respectable assets.
Kadri and O'Reilly could set the course for 2025 NHL Trade Deadline
However it's two former Maple Leafs that are drawing attention and could be the catalysts to setting what prices are going to be paid come March 6 at least according to one analyst.
Per Darren Dreger, he believes that if Ryan O'Reilly is not factored into a deal this season given Nashville's potential playoff push, it will then turn to Nazem Kadri as the big trade to keep an eye on -- and drive his price up significantly:
If Ryan O'Reilly isn't available, well Nazem Kadri's expected return probably goes up; there could be more of a waiting game but I do get the sense that it's gonna happen with Kadri.
With Nashville hitting their stride a bit heading into the Olympic break, there is a chance that unless O'Reilly decides he wants out, Nashville tumbles again or the team finds an unmissable offer -- he's likely to stick around.
Calgary can use Kadri's premium skillset as leverage
Which means that Kadri is arguably the biggest center on the market now, although there are wingers like Mika Zibanejad who are also extremely likely to be dealt.
Calgary is in a very unfortunate position where they have almost no shot of making it to the playoffs, but are a team with such a group of talent that it's almost unfeasible as to why they have been so bad (though goaltending is playing a factor for sure).
Kadri is going to be a premium considering he's not only a veteran who still performs at a top level, but a Stanley Cup winner and someone who can give a contender that extra push needed for their playoff run.
It could potentially start a dogfight between teams as they look to snatch Kadri, and the price is going to creep up like a Monopoly auction and before you know it -- there's a first rounder and a prospect going the other way.
So while there's a chance that O'Reilly is dealt, if not then you can expect Kadri to be headed elsewhere and potentially much sooner than March 6th.
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