The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be proactive this season in enhancing their roster, with a notable trade proposal suggesting they reacquire fan-favorite forward Nazem Kadri.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, one user suggested a major trade that would send Kadri from the Calgary Flames back to the Maple Leafs. In this hypothetical deal, Toronto would give up:
– Nick Robertson
– David Kampf
– Timothy Liljegren
– Two second-round picks (one for 2027 and another for 2028)
This proposed trade would be significant, as the Maple Leafs would trade three NHL players and two second-round picks to bring Kadri back. Currently, Kadri is in the third year of a seven-year, $49 million contract he signed with the Flames in 2022. The experienced forward can play both center and wing, potentially boosting Toronto’s offensive output. Last season, he played all 82 games, scoring 29 goals and providing 46 assists for a total of 75 points. Kadri previously played for the Maple Leafs from 2009 to 2019.
In return, the Maple Leafs would part with Robertson, who requested a trade during the offseason. He signed a one-year deal worth $875,000 and could fill the offensive gap left by Kadri in Calgary.
Kampf is currently in the second year of his four-year, $9.6 million contract. As the fourth-line center, he plays a crucial defensive role, recording 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points over 78 games last season.
Liljegren, a former first-round pick, has started the 2024-25 NHL season as a healthy scratch. He signed a two-year, $6 million extension but may benefit from a change in scenery. Last season, he played in 55 games, tallying 3 goals and 20 assists for 23 points.
Kadri Addresses Trade Speculation
Despite being in the third year of his deal with Calgary, Kadri’s name has surfaced in trade discussions. However, he recently expressed his desire to remain with the Flames. During a media session ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season, Kadri stated, “I feel like it’s super early to be asking these kinds of questions, so I’m gonna ask you guys to pump the brakes a little bit. Let us go play, and we’re going to try to rally around each other and surprise some people. I love the city. I love the organization.”
Should Kadri seek a trade, he would be among the top available players, known for his scoring and physical play, along with his Stanley Cup experience from winning with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Liljegren Granted Opportunity to Explore Trade
After being a healthy scratch, Liljegren’s name has also emerged in trade rumors. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs have permitted the young defenseman to speak with other teams about a possible trade.
“Toronto is preaching patience with this. They are simply saying there is no reason he can’t still play for us,” Friedman noted on Hockey Night in Canada. “However, he’s a 25-year-old player, he wants to play. I think he’d like to be in a position where he can play.”
Friedman added that while there were reports of Liljegren being allowed to communicate with other teams, the Maple Leafs denied this. Regardless, it’s clear that the team is trying to encourage patience while Liljegren seeks opportunities to play.
Liljegren was drafted 17th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2017 and has since played 196 games, accumulating 14 goals and 51 assists for a total of 65 points in his NHL career.
