Leafs may have just found their depth centerman: Nazem Kadri hints at possible return

Nazem Kadri was recently asked whether he could see himself ever playing for the Leafs again, and his choice of words gave hope to Leafs fans that it could happen.

Nazem Kadri's road to the NHL started when he was drafted by his home province team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. An exciting seventh-overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the London, Ontario product was more than happy pulling on the blue and white. Through 10 seasons in Toronto, he was cemented as part of the team's lineup, epitomizing grit and intensity. His time in Toronto was far from hassle-free, as Kadri would often skate the thin line of passion and aggression, finding himself in the disciplinary committees of justice more often than not, with a number of suspensions to his name. In 2019, after ten years with the Leafs, Kadri was finally traded to the Colorado Avalanche, which finally closed a turbulent yet so memorable chapter in his career.

Kadri's time in Toronto was something of a rollercoaster as his bold style made him loved and hated all at once. With a reputation for aggressive play, he received five suspensions between 2013 and 2019, including one team-imposed in 2015 and two critical postseason ones against the Boston Bruins. These playoff incidents finally gave the Leafs reason to trade Kadri in July 2019. The move brought Toronto defenseman Tyson Barrie and forward Alex Kerfoot, but it also left many fans nostalgic for Kadri's undeniable spark on the ice.

After joining the Avalanche, Kadri found new success. The latter with Colorado culminated in a Stanley Cup victory, doing what he couldn't in Toronto. It wasn't very long after that Kadri agreed to terms with the Calgary Flames on a seven-year, $49 million contract, continuing onto another chapter in his career. On the heels of the latter, Kadri recently released a memoir entitled 'Dreamer: My Life on the Edge', recalling his time with Toronto, the transition to Colorado, and the triumphs and trials he's faced along the way. Kadri joined 'The Leaf Report' podcast with James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel to discuss the book and his career, suggesting that one day making a return to Toronto is always left open.

The idea of Kadri returning to the Leafs is one that has remained in the back of every fan's mind. This summer, there was reportedly a possibility he could return, given the Flames having a "roster reset" and some speculation that Kadri's style might fit in more with Toronto's 2024 lineup, but between his no-movement clause and apparent desire to stay in Calgary, it didn't seem like anything would actually happen. But with Kadri so close to Toronto and his Ontario roots, the idea of a reunion one day keeps hope alive for the fans.

While Nazem Kadri's time in Toronto has been over for several years, he's left an indelible mark on the franchise and its fans. In 561 regular season games with the Leafs, he totaled 161 goals and 196 assists, with many more in postseason action. His return to Toronto is yet to be seen, but Kadri's merit as a player who has always shown passion and grit remains, evidence of a guy whose career has gone through highs and lows throughout his time in professional hockey.

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