The situation has officially escalated with Nazem Kadri
Photo credit: Sergei Belski - USA Today Sports
Nazem Kadri's situation in Calgary has escalated to a point where the rebuilding Flames are now officially shopping the former Maple Leafs forward.
Craig Button went on SportsCentre with Jay Onrait earlier today and implored that the Toronto Maple Leafs should prioritize bringing Nazem Kadri back into the fold over extending players like Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi.
"I'm not doing anything with those 2 players until I understand what's available with respect to Nazem Kadri... He's exactly what the Toronto Maple Leafs need as a 2nd line center. Exactly what they need, and he's better than Domi and he's better than Bertuzzi and so if you can do that, then you do that first and foremost... I would be pressing Craig Conroy at every single turn. If I don't get [Kadri], I'm putting my efforts into Max Domi."
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While the idea had its merits, it now seems like the situation in Calgary has started to escalate to the point of an actual trade materializing. Perhaps not to Toronto specifically, but the Flames are perusing the trade market for their number one centre, who still has 5 years remaining on his long-term deal as reported by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
When Kadri signed with the Flames in the summer of 2022, he was coming off a career-year where he not only tallied 87 points in 71 regular season games but he also played a pivotal role in the post-season for the Colorado Avalanche en route to a Stanley Cup ring.
Then Flames general manager, Brad Treliving, had to not only see Johnny Gaudreau walk into free agency but he had to deal with Matthew Tkachuk wanting out as well. Instead of opting for a rebuild, he acquired Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar from the Florida Panthers before signing Kadri to an 7-year deal in free agency in 2022.
Kadri had dreams of continuing to play for a contender and on paper the Flames didn't look too bad. In the 2 seasons that have passed since, Kadri has 53 goals and 131 points in 164 games but the Flames have missed the post-season both times and are currently ushering in a new era with a rebuild with players like Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, Andrew Mangiapane, and Jacob Markstrom all finding new homes within the last several months.
The rebuilding Flames will be doing their due diligence but it seems more likely than ever that they will be looking for a new home for Kadri as soon as possible. He carries a 7-million dollar cap hit, a full NMC for the next 2 years which then turns into a M-NTC in the final 3 years, and he can still produce solid numbers even with a downtrodden offense surrounding him.
Kadri is coming off a season where he scored 29 goals and 75 points in a full 82-game season while averaging 18:26 ATOI. Over his last 3 seasons he has 81 goals and 218 points in 235 games played, so still he has the proclivity to produce and if you put him on a team with better wingers surrounding him, he could be in line for another massive season.
Treliving brought him into the fold the first time, he has a standing relationship with Flames general manager Craig Conroy, and should they be looking for a legitimate centre who can score, play an aggressive style, and show up in clutch moments, then Kadri is his man. He would be an excellent acquisition and would bolster the centre position for the foreseeable future.
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