I think it is likely that the high pick may be conditional. Say: 2nd round pick - "if Kadri scores 30+ goals, it turns into a 1st 2028". Or maybe - "If the Leafs make it to the Eastern Finals, and Kadri plays in minimum 8 games". Something like that.
Toronto:
Kadri
To Calgary
Conditional 2nd
Cowan
Laughton
3rd? 4th? Whatever
I would flip Laughton for picks right away. Why? We know exactly what Laughton is - a good 3rd/4th line center with grit who i also good on the PK. He isn't a top 6 center. So keeping him pushes Zary back out to the wing, and I would rather not do that. Zary may have a higher ceiling than Laughton does at center, but we don't know. Calgary should just run with this down the middle:
Frost (let's see if the Flames can get him going as a #1)
Backlund (still one of the league's best defensive centers)
Zary (let's give him lots of rope!)
Kirkland/Morton/King - competition for 4th
Great move for Kadri and Calgary. It just didn't make any sense for Kadri to remain here, either for Calgary or Kadri himself. He still has some jump in his game and is still productive, why would you want to wind your career down with a team that is unlikely to win anything until after you retire? Or will buy you out once they do improve enough to need the cap space 3 years down the road? I thought the Flames may trade this season given that his contract opens up to a 13 team no trade - this is the time to have that conversation with him, regardless of the vitriol from posters saying it wasn't. Kadri could have been traded next season to a spot that didn't have a chance to win and that he doesn't want to be in. WIth a full NMC, he can do it now, pick his spot, and be happy.
It makes sense for Calgary since they will do worse without him (that's the biggest benefit honestly). Plus he is still worth something. Father time can knock suddenly, and all it takes is one season of bad luck to make an older players contract one you can no longer move. So even though it is one and only one team to negotiate with this year, the risk is you get nobody to negotiate next year with.
Besides, we all know he is a red and blue Leaf. I hate the Leafs, I really do, but the hockey world would love to see this story unfold, right?
I don't think the Flames will tear it down much more than this. Andersson + Kadri for futures. I think this takes them down comfortably into the bottom 3. Everyone else is improving. Take Backlund out, and I think you finish last - the game is controlled through the centers, and Backlund really helps keep the team afloat defensively.
McKenna would be the obvious goal here. He is not just a game-changer. He is a franchise-changer. Flames start attracting fans the second he is drafted by them. Instant superstar to add to Parekh and Wolf. Now you are really building for something, especially with all that depth Calgary has in the system, right? It is still a lottery, so if you end up missing out on McKenna - which is still likely - you still can end up with a guy like Ryan Roobroeck - an early favourite for the best center available in 2026, and is 6'4" already.
Anyway, if this trade happens, it is good for all three sides - Calgary, Toronto and Kadri. It makes perfect sense for all 3 sides too. Hope it happens!
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