Nazem Kadri, Maple Leafs reunion a very real possibility
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Toronto Maple Leafs may be able to right the wrongs of the past by bringing Nazem Kadri home this summer, and it's a real possibility, according to TSN's Craig Button.
Kadri has 5 seasons remaining on his current deal, which he signed with then Flames GM Brad Treliving back in the summer of 2022. The deal is a lofty one that carries a large cap hit of $7M per season, but with the Calgary Flames entering a top to bottom rebuild, Button believes that Kadri is available.
The salary cap poses a significant hurdle if such a deal were to materialize, but Button told sportscaster Jay Onrait on SportsCentre this morning that the Leafs could simply opt to not re-sign Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi to be able to afford Kadri.
"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."
Button also revealed during his rant that it would be possible for the Leafs to bring back Nazem Kadri and still retain Domi as well, provided the money works out. Of course, that might mean that Calgary will need to retain some of Kadri's salary and Domi would need to sign a sweetheart deal in Toronto, because the defense remains the biggest priority and will eat up the largest amount of the Leafs' $19.7M in available cap space.
Kadri produced 29 goals and 75 points for the Flames last season, and also scored 24 goals just one year prior. With the Leafs looking for some additional scoring outside of the Core 4, Kadri would certainly provide that, while also maintaining that snarl in the lineup in the event that the Leafs lose Bertuzzi.
Could you get behind bringing back Kadri at 50% retained ($3.5M)? Let us know in the poll below!
Source for stats: Hockey DB
Nazem Kadri stats and bio
Nazem Kadri stats and bio
| POLL | ||
JUIN 28 | 699 ANSWERS Nazem Kadri, Maple Leafs reunion a very real possibility If Calgary would retain 50% on Kadri's current contract, would you welcome him back to Toronto? | ||
| Yes, absolutely | 553 | 79.1 % |
| No, been there done that | 85 | 12.2 % |
| Honestly, I'm not sure | 61 | 8.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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