The Toronto Maple Leafs may turn to a well-known player to fill their centre position.
According to NHL expert James Tanner of FanSided, Toronto ought to try to re-sign Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri. Kadri, who has championship experience, would take over as the team’s third-line centre.
“A third-line centre is needed by the Leafs. They utilised David Kamp in their most recent match. They employed Pontus Holmberg in the last game,” Tanner wrote. They are extremely thin at one of the most crucial positions for postseason success because they only have two top-nine centres on the roster. The Flames could probably be convinced to fork up enough cash to complete this deal because they have Nazem Kadri and won’t be a contender for years.
In addition to being a huge improvement at third-line centre, Kadri can help the Maple Leafs score at the bottom of the lineup, which has been a problem.
The Leafs need Kadri badly, and he’s probably going to be inexpensive enough that they can still utilise their best trade chip to get the player they need most, Tanner continued.
This season, Kadri has played in 18 games for the Flames, scoring 5 goals and dishing out 4 assists for 9 points.
According to one analyst, Maple Leafs have the resources to buy Kadri.
Since Kadri is still a valuable player, acquiring him won’t be inexpensive.
But the forward is currently in the third year of a seven-year contract worth $49 million. The return will be less if Toronto uses up all of the cap space. Tanner thinks the Maple Leafs have enough assets to close a trade, though, even if money is kept.
Tanner stated, “I hope that Kadri’s poor performance and low point totals this season are simply the result of playing on a bad team. He is still a solid player.” In any case, he would be a huge improvement over the Leafs’ present setup. If the Leafs accepted his entire contract—a seven million cap charge with four years remaining—the cost would be zero, but they won’t.
Tanner continued, “The Leafs should be able to persuade the Flames to pay a portion of Kadri’s contract for the next four years while they rebuild for a nominal fee – a couple of low picks similar to what the Leafs got for Liljegren.”
The Maple Leafs were Kadri’s team from 2009 to 2019. Toronto chose him seventh overall in the 2009 NHL draft.
Kadri is willing to remain in Calgary.
Kadri is comfortable playing for the rebuilding Flames even if they aren’t a playoff contender.
In 2022, the seasoned forward and the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. Therefore, Kadri knocked it down when asked if his name was included in trade rumours.
“I’m going to ask you guys to pump the brakes a little bit because I feel like it’s really early to be asking these kinds of questions,” Kadri stated. “Allow us to play, and we’ll attempt to unite and take some individuals by surprise. I adore the city. I adore the company.
In the summer of 2022, Kadri signed a contract with the Flames.
