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Bad news is dealt for the Toronto Maple Leafs as it appears the team is outside of the pursuit for former Leaf Nazem Kadri.
The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to not be a major contender for former Leaf and current Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri, according o a recent report.
David Pagnotta of ‘The Fourth Period‘ shared new reporting on the Calgary Flames, discussing Nazem Kadri along with other potential trade options for the rebuilding Flames.
Pagnotta reports that Kadri has not sought a trade, but is willing to be dealt, with the Flames potentially retaining a portion of Kadri’s contract in a move.
> In the case of Kadri, multiple sources have confirmed that while he has not formally requested a trade, he and his camp have informed the Flames he is open to being moved.
> Kadri, 35, has three more seasons remaining on his contract after this year and comes with a $7 million salary cap hit. Some teams have asked the Flames if they have an appetite to eat some of his AAV, something I believe Calgary will consider depending on the offer.
Pagnotta also shared what is a number of teams with interest in Kadri, one of them being the Montreal Canadiens, but the Leafs not named among them.
> The Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild are among the teams that have kicked the tires on Kadri before and are likely some of the teams interested in him now.
Toronto Maple Leafs appear unlikely to be in on Nazem Kadri
The Toronto Maple Leafs do not appear to be likely suitors for Nazem Kadri, with it seeming that a reunion between the two sides is not in the works.
Kadri, an Ontario native, was drafted by Toronto in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, 7th overall, playing 10 seasons with the Leafs before being dealt to Colorado in 2019. Kadri won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
The same offseason, Kadri signed a seven-year, $49M contract with Calgary, a deal made by then-Flames and current Leafs GM Brad Treliving. Kadri is in the fourth year of that deal.
The 35-year-old has nine goals and a team-leading 35 points in 52 games this season for the Flames, with Calgary having a 21-25-6 record on the season.
The news is one less potential forward option for the Leafs, and an option that has both local connections and with management that would fill a hole in the top-six.
Pagnotta also reported in the same article interest from the Western Conference for Bobby McMann if he were to be dealt. One team mentioned was the Edmonton Oilers, a destination that has also been referenced to by Elliotte Friedman in recent days.
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