Doug MacLean, whose reliability in the hockey world is often questioned, has made an intriguing claim about the Toronto Maple Leafs. According to MacLean, the Leafs have been exploring the possibility of acquiring Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames. While MacLean acknowledges that this might seem odd given GM Brad Treliving’s past with the Flames, he insists that he has heard strong rumors about the Leafs pursuing the idea.

“Toronto needs to go after Kadri,” MacLean stated confidently. He went on to emphasize that a player like Kadri is crucial for playoff contention against top teams like the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and New York Rangers. MacLean also suggested that while some people in Toronto might dismiss his opinion, if he were in Treliving’s shoes, he would seriously consider the move, despite the potential tension caused by Kadri’s departure from Calgary and the still-sensitive Huberdeau deal that stings the Flames’ ownership.

MacLean further emphasized that, in his view, Treliving should prioritize getting Kadri into the Maple Leafs lineup. He argued that having Auston Matthews as the first-line center, Kadri as the second, and John Tavares as the third would give Toronto a significant edge going into the playoffs. He believes this combination of centers would create a much tougher matchup for some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

MacLean didn’t stop there, going even further by suggesting that the Leafs should also target MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames. He pointed out that with the wealth of cap management experts in the organization, Toronto should be able to make this move if they are truly committed to strengthening their roster. MacLean believes that pulling off a trade for both Kadri and Weegar could drastically improve the Leafs’ chances.

MacLean’s suggestion may have raised some eyebrows, especially given the significant cost it would take to acquire both players from Calgary and the cap space the Leafs would need to make it work. The proposed moves could seem unrealistic, considering the financial and roster implications for Toronto. These factors may lead some to dismiss MacLean’s comments, as the logistics of such a trade would likely be challenging for the Maple Leafs to navigate.