NHL Trade Rumors: Insider dismisses Maple Leafs' interest in bringing back Nazem Kadri
As NHL trade rumors continue to swirl this summer, one nostalgic scenario making the rounds involves Nazem Kadri — the former fan-favorite Toronto Maple Leafs center — making a sensational return to the team that drafted him back in 2009.
Kadri, now with the Calgary Flames, is coming off an impressive 35-goal, 67-point season and still plays with the grit and edge that once defined Toronto's second line. Yet, while fans may be dreaming of a fairytale reunion, top NHL insider David Pagnotta doesn't believe it's a realistic scenario.
Insiders say a Nazem Kadri return to Toronto Maple Leafs is unlikely
'I think they would entertain it,' David Pagnotta said during a discussion with Nick Alberga. 'I just don't see a fit with Toronto.'
Kadri's current contract with Calgary runs through 2029 and is valued at $49 million — a hefty $7 million cap hit per season. While the Leafs recently gained flexibility by trading Mitch Marner, using up that newfound space on a 33-year-old forward nearing the back half of his prime could severely limit other key roster moves.
Adding more skepticism to the idea is Calgary GM Craig Conroy's clear stance on keeping the Flames competitive.
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'If you believe what Craig Conroy, their GM is saying is (true), and that's, they want to stay competitive,' Pagnotta noted, 'Then I don't see it, I don't see a fit that makes sense for both sides.'
That's a double blow for Leafs fans who still feel Kadri was moved prematurely in 2019. Spencer Lazary of The Hockey Writers added fuel to the fantasy, saying, 'If Treliving brings him back, he would be able to slot in on the second line, which could push John Tavares to the wing or even to the third-line center.'
With new head coach Craig Berube and GM Brad Treliving preaching toughness and a culture shift, Kadri's physical, relentless style checks the right boxes. As Treliving said in May, 'There's some DNA that has to change in our team.'
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NHL's Gary Bettman humiliates NBA's Adam Silver with Four Nations masterstroke that left America hooked
Still, until Calgary shows interest in selling — and Toronto confirms a clear fit — the Kadri reunion remains more of a romantic idea than a likely transaction.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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