Things just got interesting between Nazem Kadri and the Maple Leafs
The Calgary Flames are listening on offers for former Maple Leaf forward Nazem Kadri, but his preference is to return to one of his two former teams.
With the Flames in a rebuild of sorts, they have already shipped out Jacob Markstrom and Andrew Mangiapane. Rumours have now put Kadri as the next player in line to move. However, given that Kadri has 5 years left on his 7-year deal that carries an AAV of $7M, it will be much more complicated to move him.
At 33, Kadri can still provide value as a second-line centre and is coming off of a 29 goal, 75-point campaign, but his age and cap hit are working against him and the Flames.
According to The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta, Kadri, who holds a no-movement clause, is hoping for a reunion with one of his former teams.
Source for Pagnotta's comments: Hello Hockey - David Pagnotta & Joseph Nardi
Pagnotta doesn't believe it is feasible for Kadri to be reunited with Colorado given their cap situation, but also believes that he would prefer to chase another ring, eliminating a lot of "close to home" options, bringing a reunion with the Leafs to the forefront. The Leafs face their own cap constraints, but will have plenty of room next off-season when John Tavares and his $11M cap hit comes off the books and could have even more space opening up depending what happens with Mitch Marner.
Although Kadri and Tavares are of the same age range, Kadri can still skate much better than Tavares and fits what the Leafs need, being a center who plays with some bite.
Treliving is the one that signed Kadri to his current deal and has no problem bringing in early-to-mid thirty players as we have seen with Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Chris Tanev. The question is, will Calgary finally put their feelings aside and make a deal with the Leafs? Only time will tell, but at the very least, there is a chance that Kadri could return to the blue and white.
Source for salary info: PuckPediaNazem Kadri Contract Profile
| POLL | ||
21 JUILLET | 765 ANSWERS Things just got interesting between Nazem Kadri and the Maple Leafs Would you welcome Kadri back to the Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 570 | 74.5 % |
| No | 126 | 16.5 % |
| I'm not sure | 69 | 9 % |
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