Nazem Kadri paused, exhaled and considered the question he was posed.



Less than 24 hours earlier, Kadri was the longest-serving member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. But on Monday evening, Kadri was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche as part of a four-player trade that included two draft picks being swapped. On Tuesday afternoon, Kadri had some difficulty trying to sum up his time as a Leaf.



“If I was able to do that, I’d take up too much of your time,” Kadri told reporters. “It was a great decade for me, and it seems weird to say that. Toronto’s always going to have a special place in my heart. It was just one of those things where business was a part of it. I certainly understand that. But, I loved the city, I loved how the fans welcomed me from Day 1.”



On paper, Kadri’s move to the Avalanche makes sense for both clubs. The Leafs were in need of a right-shot defenceman, and got that in the puck-moving Tyson Barrie. The...