NHL insider links Nazem Kadri to Maple Leafs, what does it mean for Auston Matthews?

NHL insider Doug MacLean revealed yesterday that the Toronto Maple Leafs have inquired about the availability of Flames center Nazem Kadri.

MacLean was a guest on a popular Leafs podcast yesterday where he shared some interesting news.

According to him, Brad Treliving has 'kicked the tires' on former Leaf Nazem Kadri.

Of course, Treliving is intimately familiar with Kadri's game as he was the one who signed him before he left Calgary to join the Leafs.

As such, he knows exactly what Kadri brings to the table. Apparently, he believes that the 34-year-old could help the team get over the hump in the playoffs.

That being said, it is unusual for teams to be in trade talks so early in the season. Why could that be?

Could it be that Auston Matthews' season is in doubt? The Leafs revealed that he is dealing with a day-to-day injury, but that was all the way back on November 4th.

The injury is more serious than they have first let on. One NHL insider believes Matthews could go on LTIR which would be a big blow to the team.

While Kadri cannot replace Matthews's production, he does play center and could fill in if the captain misses more time this season, which seems likely.

The fact that the Leafs are being so secretive about Matthews' condition is only going to make fans more nervous the longer he is gone.

Fans are already getting nervous as Matthews flew to Germany. Treliving is saying that it is nothing to worry about, but that seems unusual and fans know it.

Furthermore, the team cannot go on with stop-gap lineups for much longer. At this point, they need a center and it very well could be Kadri.

Be sure to keep an eye on the Leafs in the coming days for updates on both the trade front with Kadri and Matthews' status.

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