Maple Leafs Among Teams Interested in Trade for Flames Forward originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs offseason overhaul continues to take shape after announcing the contract extension of John Tavares, while another familiar name is once again drawing attention.
According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, the Maple Leafs are one of the teams that have inquired about Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri.
Kypreos reported the potential reunion on Thursday’s episode of the Sportnet’s “Big Show” podcast, just days before free agency starts on July 1.
Kadri, already 34, scored 35 goals and 67 points in 82 regular-season games last season for the Flames. He’s under contract through 2029 and carries a $7 million cap hit.
Nick Kypreos: Teams have been inquiring about Flames’ Nazem Kadri; Toronto would be one of them – SN 960
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 29, 2025
Following Tavares’ extension, Toronto has $21.3 million in cap space and is expected to pursue a second- or third-line center, depending on where they want to place Tavares.
The Maple Leafs brass made clear that changes were coming to Toronto this offseason, with general manager Brad Treliving hinting at a “DNA change” ahead of next season.
“There’s some DNA that has to change on our team,” Treliving said at his end-of-season press conference. “If you keep getting the same result, there’s some DNA that needs to change.”
The Leafs initially drafted Kadri with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft before trading him to the Colorado Avalanche in 2019.
The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel already linked Toronto and Kadri to a potential offseason reunion at the start of June before Tavares’ extension was confirmed.
“A reunion certainly has merit for the Leafs,” Siegel wrote. “For one thing, Kadri is still an effective player.
“The argument would be in part about personality; Kadri is Tavares’ opposite, feistier in a way that would move the ‘DNA’ of the team in a different direction.”
Kypreos seemed to agree with Siegel, saying Kadri would check several boxes, including a strong net-front presence, grit, and offensive production.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.