As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to maneuver a long list of injuries on offense, it was reported on Thursday by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that the club was among the few teams in the market for center depth.
According to a Friday report from former NHL general manager and head coach Doug MacLean, who spoke on the Real Kyper and Bourne show on Friday, current Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri is on the Leafs’ radar.
“Look, I said earlier today that was the gist of my whole show tonight is that Toronto has got to get Kadri. They gotta go get him. They have gotta go get him,” Maclean said. “If you’re gonna play against the teams in the playoffs, the Florida Panthers, the Carolina Hurricanes, the New Jersey Devils, the New York Rangers, they need a Kadri.”
“I know people in Toronto are gonna say, ‘that MacLean is clueless,’ but I’m telling you, if I’m Brad Treliving – and I hear they’re kicking tires, I heard today that they were kicking tires there – Treliving has his hands full because of a little animosity there because he left and the Huberdeau deal still stings the ownership there.”
“Everything he could do in his power, you go into the playoffs with the Toronto Maple Leafs with Matthews at 1, I might have Kadri at 2 and Tavares at 3, but I’ll tell you what if they get him and they go against Florida and these teams, it’s going to be a different series.”
As of now, Toronto is facing a roster crunch, with seven forwards sidelined due to injury or suspension. Ryan Reaves is serving a five-game suspension, Matthew Knies is day-to-day (upper-body), while Auston Matthews (upper-body), Calle Jarnkrok (groin/sports hernia), David Kampf (lower-body), Max Domi (lower-body), and Max Pacioretty (lower-body) are all unavailable.
The club has been forced to rely on the AHL Toronto Marlies for help, bringing up Nikita Grebenkin, Fraser Minten, and Alex Nylander – all who skated on a line together at practice on Saturday.
However, the team may require more than just short-term solutions.
Kadri’s Fit in Toronto – Should the Club Pursue Him?
Kadri, known for his tenacious style of play and leadership, spent 10 seasons with the Maple Leafs after being drafted seventh overall in 2009. He eventually left…