When Nazem Kadri, the grandson of Lebanese immigrants, was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs — the team he grew up idolizing — to the Colorado Avalanche in 2019, the move hit him hard. A native of London, Ontario, Kadri had realized a childhood dream when he was selected seventh overall by the Leafs in the 2009 NHL Draft.
Over the next ten seasons, Kadri scored 161 goals in Toronto, but cap constraints and a history of playoff suspensions led to his eventual departure.
Despite the heartbreak, the trade to Colorado proved fruitful. Kadri thrived with the Avalanche, tallying 88 goals and 110 assists over three seasons and playing a key role in their 2022 Stanley Cup championship.
Kadri’s Return to Toronto Could Be on the Horizon
Following his Stanley Cup win, Kadri signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Calgary Flames — a team the Leafs had previously attempted to trade him to, only for Kadri to use his no-trade clause to block it.
Now, as reported by Adam Proteau of The Hockey News, the time might be right for Kadri to make a return to Toronto. With Mitch Marner leaving for the Vegas Golden Knights in a blockbuster sign-and-trade worth $96 million over eight years, GM Brad Treliving admitted the Leafs have yet to fill the void left by Marner’s departure.
“Assuming Treliving stays true to his word about being done with free agency,” Proteau wrote, “the Leafs will likely have to explore the trade market — and a Kadri-for-Rielly swap could be their best bet.”
Such a deal would be nearly even in salary cap terms. Kadri’s annual hit is $7 million, while Morgan Rielly — a 31-year-old defenseman signed through the 2029–30 season — carries a $7.5 million cap hit.
Would Calgary Be Willing to Move Kadri?
Kadri’s deal runs through 2028–29, when he’ll be 38, while Rielly’s contract ends a year later. From a long-term value perspective, the Flames could benefit — or use Rielly as a trade chip.
“Conroy would likely need to pitch Rielly on coming to Calgary, at least temporarily,” Proteau explained. “The idea would be for Rielly to agree to the move, knowing he could guide the Flames GM on where to trade him next — likely to a playoff contender.”
Still, not everyone believes Calgary is ready to let Kadri go.
“I think teams have asked about Kadri before,” Elliotte Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast. “Unless Kadri asks to leave or Calgary gets a massive offer, I doubt they’ll move him.”
Yet Proteau remains confident in the logic of the deal.
“If this happens, don’t say it came out of nowhere,” he wrote. “Kadri would be a seamless fit in Toronto, and his return would mark a significant shift in the Leafs’ identity — something the team has been aiming for.”
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