The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to be active in the offseason trade market, with speculation swirling around potential moves involving players like Mitch Marner and John Tavares following their playoff exit. Sportsnet radio host Sam McKee recently floated a hypothetical trade scenario with the Calgary Flames, suggesting Nazem Kadri could return to Toronto.
During a broadcast on June 20 on Real Kyper & Bourne, McKee proposed a trade of Mitch Marner for Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri. Kadri, a former Maple Leaf, is known for his playoff performance and strong connection to Toronto fans.
Drafted seventh overall by the Maple Leafs in 2009, Kadri spent nearly a decade with the team before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche. Last season with Calgary, he recorded 75 points in 82 games, but concerns linger about his contract, which has five years left at $7 million annually.
Andersson, 27, contributed 39 points in 78 games for Calgary last season and has two years remaining on a six-year, $27.3 million deal signed in 2020.
McKee’s co-host, Justin Bourne, expressed reservations about including Kadri in the trade, preferring to swap Marner for Andersson alone and capitalize on the additional cap space. Bourne highlighted the Maple Leafs’ $18.8 million in available cap room as a valuable asset in today’s NHL.
Kadri, known for his physical play and previous suspensions during key playoff moments, has maintained a significant legacy with the Maple Leafs despite his departure.
Nazem Kadri, a native of London, Ontario, was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2019, as part of a deal that brought Tyson Barrie and Alexander Kerfoot to the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his tenure with the Avalanche, Kadri played a pivotal role in their Stanley Cup victory in 2022. Following this achievement, he opted to join the Calgary Flames in free agency.
Throughout his time with the Maple Leafs, Kadri amassed a total of 161 goals and 196 assists, accumulating 357 points across 561 games played.
