Back in the summer of 2019, the Toronto Maple Leafs were presented with an opportunity to acquire then pending UFA T.J. Brodie from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Nazem Kadri. The problem was, Kadri, who had a modified NTC in his contract, blocked the deal.
Eventually, however, Kadri was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche, whom he did not have included on his no-trade list. Ultimately, it paid off the Kadri, and not so much for the Leafs, who have still yet to win a single round. Meanwhile, Kadri can call himself a Stanley Cup Champion after playing an integral role for his team.
Fast forward to this summer and Kadri had his pick of the litter as an unrestricted free agent who was free to sign with any team he pleased. We now know that he chose Calgary. So what gives? A few years back, he blocked a deal to Calgary and now he's headed there willingly? Make it make sense!
Well, Kadri touched on the situation on Friday, revealing that he actually never had any issues with Calgary whatsoever. He simply blocked the trade because he wanted to remain a Leaf and try to win with the team who drafted him.
Kadri also revealed that the Flames were interested in him from day one and that the moves that they made this summer, especially under duress, excited him. This is a team that Kadri thinks is very close and one with whom he thinks he can win. That much is clear with the 7-year commitment.
