Canadiens Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs’ Ex-$49M Trade Target Billed As Perfect Fit For Montreal
The Montreal Canadiens now hold a 5-2-0 record, getting off to a strong start this season. Their only losses came in the season opener, 5-2 against the Maple Leafs, and a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday. They’ve also pulled two close wins in OT.
Next, the Canadiens face the last-place Calgary Flames on Wednesday. Calgary has dropped six of its last seven games. For Montreal to boost their offense, one player has been rumored to be a perfect fit.
Would a $49 Million Player Be the Right Choice for the Montreal Canadiens?
Nazem Kadri is in the fourth year of his 7-year, $49 million contract. He previously played 10 seasons with the Leafs and three seasons with the Avalanche. He is now in his fourth season with Calgary.
Kadri was subjected to trade rumors this offseason. And teams like the Maple Leafs and Canadiens were discussed as potential destinations, as they not only have the available cap space but also the pieces capable of pulling off a deal.
During “The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro,” former Montreal Canadiens player Maxim Lapierre pointed out that while many discuss big names like Sidney Crosby, Kadri isn’t talked about enough.
Lapierre said, “For me, the most reliastic guy to get… we don’t talk much about Nazem Kadri. Calgary is last or one of the last teams in the league. Nazem Kadri is a great center men and I think he plays two ways, he’s physical, he played in the Canadian Market, doesn’t have that many years at a very high price. I think he would be the perfect fit for a second center.”
Co-host Pierre McGuire, a former NHL executive and analyst, also weighed in on the potential fit. He agreed that Kadri would be a good fit for Montreal. He pointed: “He’s played for hard coaches, played for softer coaches, he won the Stanley Cup, he got some street cred coming into the room. He’s not a No. 1 guy anymore, I totally agree with Max on that. He comes in and slots in at 2, he’s gonna cause problems for a lot of teams.”
The team that is able to add Kadri to their lineup is assuredly getting a reliable and productive star. The only concern is whether the price paid for him ends up being too much to bear in the future.
Kadri’s two-way game and experience in the Canadian market make him a target for the Canadiens.
