Jeff Marek believes multiple teams have inquired about Nazem Kadri's availability, and the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Maple Leafs</a> are one of the teams who have become very interested in him. Well, the seven-year deal Nazem Kadri signed with the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/flames/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Calgary Flames</a> ahead of the 2022-23 season has not worked out, and now <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/legendary-nhl-gm-strongly-links-nazem-kadri-to-the-maple-leafs-in-latest-report' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>there are rumors floating around he could be moved this season</a>. Coming off the fine 2021-22 campaign, the Flames had hoped to keep up momentum after a Matthew Tkachuk trade brought in Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar. Instead, the next two mediocre seasons resulted in a rebuild; and with it went some major stars in Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Jacob Markstrom. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/flames/player/nazem-kadri-8475172' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Nazem Kadri</a> isn't the biggest culprit in terms of why the Flames' plans didn't come to fruition, but after a poor 2022-23 season, he rebounded in 2023-24 with 75 points, proving he's still capable of playing at a very high level. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/RingOfFireCGY/status/1863050214711685270'> </a></blockquote></div> His $7 million cap hit through the 2028-29 season has become a poor fit on a team that is rebuilding, though. After a bit of a slower start to 2024-25, he's still a clear top-six player who will have his name called by contending clubs. Among <a href='https://heavy.com/sports/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/insider-kadri-reunion-maple-leafs/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the teams rumored to be in on bringing him back home includes the Toronto Maple Leafs</a>. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/FlamesNation/status/1864474775080587601'> </a></blockquote></div> According to former GM Doug MacLean and analyst Jeff Marek, Toronto's very interested in Kadri, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/leafs-may-have-just-found-their-depth-centerman-nazem-kadri-hints-at-possible-return' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>a playoff-experienced physical presence fitting of their needs</a>. «I have a hard time believing that somewhere down the road the Maple Leafs don't make a pitch for or have a conversation about Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames,» Marek said on The Sheet. «It was a great start for the Calgary Flames, but I think we all know where the Flames are. I think we all know where the Maple Leafs want to be. And I think that they're looking at the Florida Panthers and saying, if we're going to get out of this division, we have to go through them and we need more toughness and more toughness down the middle. I really do wonder if there's a conversation about Nazem Kadri and the Toronto Maple Leafs.» For the Flames, trading Kadri could be strategic. While he provides leadership and his current cap hit isn't a burden, moving his contract could create future flexibility and improve draft position. Given his age (34) and the potential for declining performance by the contract's end, offloading him now, even for a modest return, might benefit Calgary's long-term outlook. A deal with the Maple Leafs could make sense for both sides, but Toronto would need to weigh the risks of Kadri's contract against the immediate boost he could provide. For the Flames, capitalizing on this interest would align with their rebuilding focus.