Nazem Kadri did, indeed, quash a potential trade to the Calgary Flames.
Kadri, ex of the Toronto Maple Leafs, confirmed on Sportsnet’s 31 Thoughts: The Podcast that he was approached about being swapped to the Saddledome but refused to waive his 10-team no-trade clause.
The 28-year-old centre has since been shipped to the Colorado Avalanche.
“What happened is they had a deal in place and they wanted me to move my no-trade clause,” Kadri explained on the podcast. “Obviously, for me, it was no disrespect to Calgary or the Flames organization — I love their team and I love the direction they’re headed. I just figured that had I declined, I would have had a better opportunity of being a Maple Leaf next year, and that’s really what it came down to.
“I wanted to play for the Leafs next year. I wanted to be a part of that. In declining that trade, I had aspirations of being a Leaf, and we know clearly that didn’t happen.”
Kadri, who hails from London, Ont., registered 16 goals and 22 assists in 73 regular-season showings for the Buds last winter but was an easy target for criticism after a vicious cross-checking major that resulted in a remainder-of-the-series suspension during their first-round ouster against the Boston Bruins.
It is believed that defenceman TJ Brodie was the key piece in the Flames’ offer for Kadri.
The Leafs eventually acquired blue-liner Tyson Barrie, winger Alex Kerfoot and a sixth-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft from the Avalanche in exchange for Kadri, defence prospect Calle Rosen and a third-rounder. (The Avs will also cover half of Barrie’s salary next season.)
“I understand it’s a business,” Kadri said on his podcast appearance. “For me, it’s about going into next season with a chip on my shoulder. I know what I’m capable of and I want to just prove a point more than anything. So I’ll be looking to have a big year next year.”
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
