The Toronto Maple Leafs might be making a mistake by pursuing a former teammate of Auston Matthews this NHL offseason. Perhaps falling victim to nostalgia, Toronto is not in the driver’s seat when it comes to a potential blockbuster trade. Instead, the Maple Leafs may actually need some help from their target to make it happen.
Mitch Marner’s departure has left the Maple Leafs in desperate need for a replacement in the top-six of the forwards group. There aren’t many clear-cut options available in the free agency market, and thus, the Leafs are considering making a trade.
It won’t be easy, however. The Maple Leafs are desperate, and there’s no hiding it. Matthews and company have water up to their necks, and that’s stripped Toronto of any leverage in negotiations. As they pursue Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri, reports indicate a deal won’t come to fruition unless all parties show serious commitment.
Helping them out
With Kadri under contract in Calgary for the next four NHL seasons, there is little reason for the Flames to part ways with the 34-year-old center. It will be up to the Maple Leafs to make an unsurpassable offer, or for Kadri to make it clear he no longer wants to be in the Stampede City.
Nazem Kadri #91 of the Calgary Flames looks on during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on February 02, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.
“The Flames have him for term,” insider Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “Unless Kadri comes to them and says ‘I don’t think it’s working here‘ or they absolutely get their socks blown off [by the Maple Leafs’ offer], I don’t think that’s happening.”
see also
NHL News: After Mitch Marner’s exit, Maple Leafs reportedly interested in former Connor McDavid teammate on the Oilers
Enough exits
After moving on from Marner, the Maple Leafs have reportedly had enough of watching former draft selections skip town in Toronto. In that regard, reports state Nick Robertson is trending towards staying with the Leafs. The 23-year-old restricted free agent has yet to agree on an extension with the organization and has filed for salary arbitration.
“At this point in time, I think the Leafs are probably going to hold onto Nick Robertson,” Chris Johnston said during the latest episode of the Chris Johnston Show.
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The summer of 2025 has been a rollercoaster for the Maple Leafs. But far from being kids at an amusement park, Matthews and company are starting to feel lightheaded and dizzy as the drama in Hogtown never seems to end. At this point, there’s only one remedy. Everyone in Toronto knows what it is — yet no one has a clue how to hoist it in such a competitive NHL landscape.
