Nazem Kadri. Brett Holmes-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs get unfortunate news about acquiring Flames veteran

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 4:46 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to explore ways to upgrade the roster following Mitch Marner's departure in free agency. Toronto's front office has been trying to fill in the gaps along the roster, and they have been searching on the trade front.

One name that has been heavily connected to the Maple Leafs in recent weeks is Calgary Flames star Nazem Kadri. Kadri could replace Marner very well in the lineup, but it seems that a deal could be complicated to complete.

According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos of SportsNet, Toronto has tried to land Kadri multiple times this summer, only to be rebuffed each time. Kypreos believes that a deal involving Kadri returning to the Maple Leafs could be unlikely at this point in the summer.

Nick Kypreos: Brad Treliving has tried numerous times to trade with his old club [Calgary] in the past only to be shut down...on Tanev, Zadorov and Andersson; "it may be a stretch for the Leafs to land Kadri" - Sportsnet (Jul 15)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 21, 2025

Last season, Kadri posted 35 goals and 32 assists for the Flames. His presence has been steady on the ice for years, and Calgary could probably get a lot on the trade market for him.

The Maple Leafs will likely continue to explore ways to pry Kadri from the Flames. But Calgary likely won't trade him unless it receives an offer that it deems too good to be true.

But Kadri is the leader of this team, and he was the best player for them last season.

Toronto doesn't have a lot of tradable assets to work with, which could be what is holding things up between the two sides. The veteran could give Toronto a nice boost, but unless the Maple Leafs up the offer, he isn't returning to town.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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