It seems we can’t go a week without hearing about the possibility of Nazem Kadri being traded.

In a recent edition of the TSN 1050 radio show TSN Drive, host Dave Naylor spoke to Darren Dreger and talked about Kadri and how it might be hard to assess his progression this year and how he’ll be a restricted free agent on July 1 and want a raise. Dreger replied,

“He’s going to want it. Yeah. I would still be surprised if Nazem Kadri makes it to the trade deadline as a Toronto Maple Leaf.”

I share this opinion. Although Kadri has seemed to add a more rough side to his game this season than years past, he still hasn’t taken the next step in his offensive production. He is still a streaky scorer and while he still can be a dependable point producer, however that is not enough. For a player that talks the way he does, you’d think he would have taken the next step but alas, it hasn’t happened.

All that is combined with the fact that other people have. Peter Holland in particular has moved up in the lineup to the point where he could replace Kadri and the Leafs wouldn’t feel much of a loss. The Leafs also have Frederik Gauthier who could challenge for a position on the Leafs as soon as next season.

There should be a good amount of teams that would be interested in Kadri’s services. If he can play well this year, the Leafs should also be able to get a pretty good return. However, the best return would probably come if he were packaged with other players, maybe even James Reimer.

Are Kadri’s days as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs numbered? If Dreger is right, he has less than three months left.