NHL trade rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Nazem Kadri

According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t opposed to trading Nazem Kadri. In order to trade him, they’d have to find a deal that makes sense. Here are five teams who could help the Leafs out.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the midst of a salary cap crunch. After a disappointing first-round exit against the Boston Bruins, general manager Kyle Dubas implied just about anyone could be traded. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Leafs have been quietly checking the value of center Nazem Kadri around the league.

With the latest rumors surrounding Nikita Zaitsev and Patrick Marleau, Toronto might not need to trade him in order to clear the needed cap space to re-sign Mitch Marner and their other free agents. However, Kadri could help them get a top-four right-handed defenseman to replace Zaitsev.

For the second straight year, he cost the Leafs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins knew Kadri would react, so they poked the bear until he fought back. That has to be frustrating for the Leafs, who know as well as anyone how great, and yet how frustrating, the center can be.

Even with his discipline troubles, Toronto should have no issues trading Kadri. He has one of the best bargain deals in the league, as he has a $4.5 million cap hit over the next three seasons. For a second-line center, that’s incredibly cheap. While Kadri’s the Leafs third-line center, he’d be the second-line center on most teams.

However, he does have a 10-team no-trade list, which could lessen his value. It would be surprising if the Maple Leafs traded Kadri. The whole reason they signed John Tavares was so they could have impressive center depth. Why get rid of that depth?

That said, if the Leafs want to upgrade their defense, free agency probably isn’t the way to do it. Ergo, they’ve got to do it through a trade. And Kadri might be their best reasonable trade chip. Here’s a look at five teams who should trade for Kadri.

4. New York Islanders

A recent report from a former NHL scout suggests the New York Islanders are interested in Nazem Kadri. This makes sense, as Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello has brought in former Maple Leafs, such as Matt Martin and Leo Komarov.

Though the re-signing of Brock Nelson likely disqualifies them from signing Duchene or Hayes, I don’t think it would necessarily disqualify them from adding Kadri. Kadri would be a great option for them, whether that’s on the second line or third line. He would likely join the latter thanks to Nelson’s contract.

Kadri is the perfect Barry Trotz player. He’s strong defensively, plays with a huge chip on his shoulder, and works hard. Kadri’s also proven to be productive. Even during a down year, he would have been their third-highest scoring center last season. Kadri isn’t far removed from being a reliable 30 goal scorer and I wouldn’t be shocked if he reached the plateau again next season.

The Maple Leafs would likely ask for defenseman Ryan Pulock, who had a very nice 2018-19 season. If they want a right-handed defenseman, they don’t really have any other options other than Scott Mayfield. Mayfield’s a fine defenseman, but Pulock is likely the guy the Leafs would want.

Proposed trade: 

Since the Islanders would be getting the better player in that straight swap, they’d probably have to add either a prospect or a draft pick. But this has the potential to be a deal that helps both teams.

3. Winnipeg Jets

On paper, a Nazem Kadri for Jacob Trouba makes sense. It immediately addresses an area of need for both the Winnipeg Jets and the Maple Leafs. The latter gets a young, right-handed defenseman while the former gets a bonafide second-line center.

However, in reality, this deal doesn’t do much for the Maple Leafs. All it does it further complicate their already complicated salary cap scenario. But if the Leafs can manage to trade Connor Brown, Nikita Zaitsev, and Patrick Marleau while talking their free agents into taking reasonable deals, there might be something there.

Proposed trade:

This hypothetical trade would kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. It would get Zaitsev off the Leafs roster and give the Jets an immediate replacement for Trouba. Zaitsev’s struggles in Toronto are well-documented, but a change in scenery could do him well. He can skate well and was productive two years ago before the Leafs started forcing him in a defensive role.

Toronto would usually use Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson as a sweetener. But the Jets have a surplus of wings, so they probably don’t have the same value as they would to another team. A 2020 second-round pick sounds fair value for taking on Zaitsev’s contract.

2. Colorado Avalanche

Much like the Jets, the Colorado Avalanche are a bit of a complicated fit for Nazem Kadri. It doesn’t come from the Avs side, though. They could use a second-line center and Kadri’s a year removed from scoring 30 goals in consecutive seasons. His game is well suited for the Western Conference as well.

Rather, it comes from the Leafs side. On paper, a Tyson Barrie for Kadri swap makes sense. Both sides get what they want, right? Well, life is never that easy. Barrie’s cap hit is more expensive than Kadri, which is not good for the Leafs. There’s also the issue of him only having a year left on his deal. The Leafs probably want an extension if Barrie’s the best piece heading to Toronto.

As an added bonus for Toronto, they’d be sending Kadri to the Western Conference. One would imagine they’d prefer not to have to face him repeatedly.

Proposed trade:

There’s likely going to have to be more to this trade for cap reasons. But this is the foundation of a good hockey trade, as both sides get what they want. The Avalanche are likely going to add a top-six forward, so they’ll have options.

Don’t be surprised if they come circling back to this option because though the finances would be work to work out, both sides have some motivation to make this trade work.

1. Carolina Hurricanes

There’s not a more logical fit as a trade partner for the Maple Leafs than the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes were reportedly one of the most interested teams in William Nylander before Toronto signed him in December. Also, the Leafs and Hurricanes scouted each other numerous times last season.

Kadri would give Carolina a bonafide shutdown center. Jordan Staal is an underrated one, but his future health is fair to question. A move to wing might extend his career. Staal has the skillset to pull it off. Also, the Hurricanes are likely looking to add some size down the middle. Even though Kadri’s just six feet tall, he plays like you’d expect a bigger center to play.

Meanwhile, the Leafs need a right-handed defenseman and the Hurricanes have plenty of them. Though Brett Pesce was reportedly available, I don’t think that’s the case anymore. But Justin Faulk would make sense, as would Dougie Hamilton. The Hurricanes would likely prefer to trade the former than the latter.

Proposed trade: 

Carolina would likely have to add more here, but I’m not sure what. It wouldn’t be that much, though. The Maple Leafs would get the right-handed defenseman they covet while the Hurricanes would further solidify their forward group and add a skilled guy with a bit of snarl in his game.

Honorable Mentions

Kadri would have been a terrific fit for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was born to play for Alain Vigneault. However, they recently traded for the free agent rights to Kevin Hayes, so I’d imagine that takes them out of the running for Kadri.

The Nashville Predators would be a great fit for Kadri. But I’m not sure you can make a hockey trade work between Toronto and Nashville, especially given the cap situations of both teams. The only guy who would make sense financially would be Mattias Ekholm, and the Predators aren’t trading him.