Free agent veteran center Nazem Kadri will continue his NHL career with the Calgary Flames. The Canadian team announced that Kadri agreed to a seven-year deal that comes with a $7 million annual salary.
Kadri entered the free agency after a strong campaign with Colorado Avalanche that saw him contribute 28 goals and 59 assists for a career-high 87 points during the regular season. The 31-year-old then added 15 points in 16 postseason games to help the Avalanche lift the Stanley Cup.
After extension talks with Avalanche stalled, Kadri had multiple suitors and was hotly tipped as the new member of the New York Islanders. However, the Flames swooped in at the last minute and made him pick Calgary.
“I like the direction of the team and the moves we’ve made thus far … I’ve always appreciated the Calgary Flames fanbase, so all those played a key contributor in me making my decision,” said Kadri after the news was announced.
The move brings more optimism for the Flames, who had a disastrous start to the offseason when All-Star Johnny Gaudreau left in free agency and star forward Matthew Tkachuk got traded. However, the team managed to replenish the talent on offense by getting productive All-Star winger Jonathan Huberdeau as part of the Tkachuk trade and now landing Kadri.
Nazem Kadri, who also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has one All-Star career appearance. His NHL stats include 739 games played in which he scored 219 times and assisted 293 times for a total of 512 points.
