This former Avalanche forward is having a great season with the Flames.
This former Avalanche forward is having a great season with the Flames.
During the 2022 NHL Offseason, Nazem Kadri landed a big seven-year, $49 million contract with the Calgary Flames. It was a well-deserved deal for the veteran, as he had a remarkable 2021-22 season with the Colorado Avalanche. In 71 games, he had 28 goals and a career-high 87 points. He then followed that up with 15 points in 16 playoff games.
After finishing his Avalanche tenure in a spectacular fashion, Kadri's first season with Calgary was solid but nowhere close to his 2021-22 campaign. In 82 games, the 33-year-old had 24 goals and 56 points. These were not bad numbers at all, but his pace of production was lower than Flames fans likely expected.
Fast-forward to 2023-24, and Kadri has bounced back big time with the Flames this season. In 75 games, the former Avalanche star has 24 goals and a team-leading 65 points. While his numbers are still not as high as his final year in Colorado, his production has significantly improved from last. Because of this, he's been Calgary's best skater in 2023-24.
Sometimes, it takes a player some time to adjust to their new team, and it's clear that Kadri has become more comfortable in Calgary. He should continue to be a key contributor on their roster for several seasons as they retool their group.
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