Opinion: The Leafs should bring back Nazem Kadri this summer, if the price tag isn't too high
There was plenty to be excited about when the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted London, Ontario native Nazem Kadri 7th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Kadri may not have been an immediate NHL success, but he added so many elements to the Leafs right from when he stuck in the NHL in 2012-13, never looking back after an inconsistent start to his pro career.
Kadri was a feisty, passionate, heart and soul player, with smooth hands and legitimate finishing ability. He embodied everything it was to be a Leaf - even during a pair of playoff runs near the end where he had earned himself a couple of suspensions and built a reputation for crossing the line.
When the Leafs traded Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche back in 2019, there was a bit of a divide within the fanbase, with some believing that Kadri had become too much of a hot-head and a liability due to his track record with suspensions. Others knew that what the Leafs were losing in Kadri, they couldn't make up for with Alexander Kerfoot and Tyson Barrie.
Barrie came and went, playing just one season in Toronto before signing with the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent, but Kerfoot has lingered, playing many roles for the club over the last 3 seasons, up and down the lineup - but I don't think there's ANYONE who wouldn't trade Kerfoot for Kardi, 1-for-1 right now.
Kadri is one of the absolute hottest players in the league this season, amassing 38 points in just 24 games for the Avs, sitting 2nd in assists league-wide only to Connor McDavid, and 4th overall in league scoring, which begs the question; would he even want to come back?
You don't need to be a psychic to know that Kadri was upset over being dealt, likely being the scapegoat for goaltender Frederik Andersen's shortcomings in the postseason.
Kadri had spent his entire career with the team that drafted him up to that point, and I don't think you'd have found too many people who would have argued that Kadri did not want to retire as a Leaf.
Nevertheless, there is likely some bad blood there between Kadri and GM Kyle Dubas.. but can Dubas finesse Kadri back to Toronto for a chance to play on the left flank with either Auston Matthews or John Tavares? I think he should absolutely try.
Kadri ate, slept and breathed the Toronto Maple Leafs. He left it all out on the ice and gave everything he had for the team. He stood up for his teammates, and he even dropped the gloves whenever it was necessary, without hesitation.
What would constitute a fair deal for the 31-year-old, who will turn 32 prior to the start of the 2022-23 season? Well, Kadri has earned just $4.5M over each of the last 6 seasons, and after the season he's having now, you're certainly not going to get him at that price.. but would he consider 5 years at $5.5M with a no-trade or no-move clause? It would give him some certainty, and he'd be back at home where he belongs.
Such a deal would lock up Kadri until he's 36 years old and opens the door for a string of 1-year deals with the Leafs at the tail end of his career, should he wish to retire as a Leaf.
Personally, I'm all for it - because, while Kadri is a bit of an emotional guy who plays on the line and sometimes crosses it, he's also the type of guy who never backs down and will do whatever it takes to win. Simply put, Kadri deserves to win in Toronto.
