Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to flip the script in the 2025–26 NHL season. The roster already looks quite different, but the organization may be interested in giving a nod to the past. On that note, it didn’t take long for Calgary Flames star Nazem Kadri to emerge as a potential addition to the Mitch Marner–less lineup.
However, trading for the 34-year-old will be a battle on its own. On the one hand, the Flames have made it clear Kadri is not for sale. It will take a big offer for them to deal him out of Calgary, especially to a fellow Canadian nemesis.
The Maple Leafs will have to put together a very tempting offer for Kadri’s reunion with Matthews and company to become a reality. And even then, there might be more trouble down the road for Toronto. The Flames won’t make the job any easier for the Leafs. One would think it’s common knowledge by now, but this won’t be the Flames’ first rodeo in Stampede City.
As reports now suggest, the Flames and Maple Leafs may not see eye-to-eye on the timing of the trade buzz surrounding Kadri. Calgary is in no rush to part ways with the centerman. Whereas the clock is ticking for Toronto. It must calm the waters after Marner’s exit, and bringing in a new star—or, in this case, the return of an old familiar face might be just what the doctor ordered.
Nazem Kadri #91 of the Calgary Flames skates during a break in play against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Scotiabank Saddledome on October 22, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
“I think there’s an openness to explore it, but I don’t think there’s any sense of urgency. I think Calgary is perfectly comfortable and planning to start the season with Kadri,” insider David Pagnotta said on Melnick in the Afternoon.
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NHL News: Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs reportedly stumble across tough news amid interest in return of hometown hero
Bucket of ice cold water
While fans in Hogtown are daydreaming about the potential return of the Ontarian centerman, reports suggest the odds of a trade coming to fruition aren’t too high. As expected, the Flames are seemingly not in any rush to move on from a veteran who scored 35 goals this past season.
“The Flames aren’t interested in moving him,” insider Frank Seravalli said during the latest Bleacher Report Open Ice podcast. “Sources indicate Calgary really haven’t engaged in any of the conversations. It would take a heck of an offer to take Kadri out of Calgary, where he’s engrained and embedded in the culture of the team.“
Play with fire and you’ll get burned
Perhaps there’s more to the trade buzz surrounding Kadri, the Flames, and the Leafs. General manager Brad Treliving’s presence in Toronto might give Calgary added reason to look elsewhere in their business dealings. The former Flames GM’s past could be hindering his current team’s chances at acquiring Kadri — or any other player in Calgary — for that matter.
General manager Brad Treliving of the Toronto Maple Leafs is seen prior to round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Brad Treliving has tried numerous times to trade with his old club [Calgary] in the past only to be shut down on Brandon Tanev, Nikita Zadorov and Rasmus Andersson. It may be a stretch for the Leafs to land Kadri,” insider Nick Kypreos reported, per Sportsnet.
When the Leafs meet the Flames
Amid an intriguing offseason saga between the two sides, the Maple Leafs and Flames are set to face off twice in the 2025-26 NHL season. Their first meeting comes on October 28 at Scotiabank Arena. The rematch is slated for February 3 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Whether Kadri will still don the “C of Red” or join Leafs Nation remains to be seen.
