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According to Elliotte Friedman, the trade market around Nazem Kadri has slowed down slightly, which is perfect for Brad Treliving as it affords him a bit more time.
If they are going to be buyers that means they need to have a good idea of who they are going to bring in, and with the Olympics affording them time to work out the logistics of a potential trade; they need all the time they can get right now.
Well, if Brad Treliving and company were still looking to make a splash and possibly consider bringing back an old face — they’re being given a bit extra to work with.
Nazem Kadri’s trade market cooling which gives Toronto perfect chance to strike
That should give Treliving a bit more time to work with if he was considering reuniting with his former center:
One of the reasons Nazem Kadri’s market slightly slowed is the availability of Trocheck and Robert Thomas. Add teams making sure they don’t miss anything with O’Reilly and it’s a kind of stasis.
Utah checked in, and no doubt this will pick up. There’s a slight concern about term, but the Flames are flexible.
Picks-and-prospects style or hockey-trade style, they will consider both options — and a lot of other stuff, but hands-off their high-ceilinged young players.
It’s completely understandable as to why some teams may be holding off on a Kadri deal, as he does come with a commitment and isn’t necessarily the youngest player available.
Compared to names like Trocheck and Thomas — both of whom are younger (and in the case of Thomas by nearly a decade), Kadri’s commitment seems like a much taller ask than the other two.
Sure they both come with big contracts, but in the case of Trocheck he only makes $5.625-million a season, and Thomas earns $8.125-million but again is just getting into his prime years.
Then you have Ryan O’Reilly, who makes $4.5-million, with no trade protection and is likely on the way out especially if Nashville is making big changes and moving on from their expensive veterans.
Why Toronto should and shouldn’t bring in Kadri
That leaves Kadri on the back burner for a lot of teams, and if the Flames are dead set on trading him, then they may have to work with the Maple Leafs against all wishes but when desperation calls — you have to answer at some point.
Kadri has struggled a bit this season offensively though you can’t fault him entirely as the Flames as a whole have been anything but good this season.
In 56 games he has 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) while also adding 34 hits, 19 blocks and a ghastly minus-24 in 19:27 TOI; he’s also won 48.6% of his face-offs.
But for his career, he has nearly 750 points, has won a Stanley Cup, and can still offer two-way help with a ton of playoff experience though his $7-million price tag does cause some issues.
Though there’s always something sentimental about adding a former player or someone so beloved and bringing them back for one last chance at glory even if it’s a slim one.
This team is not a playoff contender just yet, and risking the future for a minimal chance at success might not only backfire, but cost Brad Treliving his job.
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