NHL trade rumors: Maple Leafs linked to shocking Morgan Rielly–Nazem Kadri swap to fix top-six gap

As the Toronto Maple Leafs regroup following Mitch Marner’s high-profile departure in a sign-and-trade to the Vegas Golden Knights, NHL insiders are speculating about how the team plans to fill the void.

One bold suggestion has now sparked a wave of debate: trading Morgan Rielly for Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri.

Could the Toronto Maple Leafs trade Morgan Rielly for Nazem Kadri?

The trade proposal, first floated by NHL analyst Adam Proteau in The Hockey News, lays out a scenario in which Toronto would swap their long-time defenseman for a veteran forward who once wore the Maple Leafs jersey. Kadri, now with Calgary and signed to a seven-year, $49 million deal, could be the answer to Toronto’s gaping hole in the top six.General Manager Brad Treliving has been transparent about the team’s post-Marner priorities. “Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Treliving said in early July. “That’s really where our focus is.”With the free-agent market offering limited options, Proteau argues that trades remain the most realistic path forward—and Kadri may be the best fit.

Kadri is already familiar with Toronto’s system and market pressure.

Bringing him back could allow the Leafs to slot him in as the second-line center, shift John Tavares to the wing or a more sheltered third-line role, and bolster the team's depth down the middle.

Cap hit and contract details align—but there’s a catch

Financially, the deal makes surprising sense. Rielly’s cap hit is $7.5 million through 2030, while Kadri comes at $7 million annually through 2029. Proteau calls it an almost perfect cap match.“Certainly, the money involved in a Kadri/Rielly trade is almost a perfect match,” he wrote.

However, he notes the Flames might want an additional sweetener—like a second-round pick—to offset Rielly’s extra year.Both players have no-trade clauses, but Proteau believes the fit is attractive enough that both sides could agree. “A reunion with Kadri surely would be welcomed by the former Leaf,” he added.While still speculative, the trade idea highlights Toronto’s urgency and potential willingness to part with a foundational piece to solve their offensive depth crisis.Also Read: NHL Trade Rumors: Devils are considering trading Dougie Hamilton in bold offseason shake-up