A year ago, the Calgary Flames signed free agent forward Nazem Kadri. At the time, Kadri was coming off a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche and hopes – and expectations – were that he could pick up where he left off.
That didn’t happen. Kadri started strong but faded during the season, part of a season that went wrong in all sorts of ways for the Flames. Speaking to NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger, Kadri shared his thoughts on the past season and his hopes for the upcoming campaign.
Here’s a snippet:
“I think a lot of guys on the team are ready to kind of play to their potential,” the 32-year-old said this week after competing in a celebrity ball hockey game at the National Bank Open tennis tournament. “For whatever reason, we got a little restricted last year, so I’m just looking forward to a clean slate and starting the year off strong.”
Kadri would not elaborate if the “restricted” feeling the team had last season was a product of former coach Darryl Sutter, who’s known for disciplinary ways and tight-checking systems.
The piece includes Kadri’s thoughts on the big changes the Flames went through this off-season, including the installation of Craig Conroy as general manager and Ryan Huska as new head coach.
“I think it’s important we have two guys in new positions who are familiar with the team… When you have management that treat personalities and are good guys and care about the team and their players, those are guys you want to play for.
I’ve had many chats with ‘Conny.’ I love where his head’s at. I love his ideas, and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Kadri is heading into the second season of a seven-year deal that pays him $7 million against the salary cap through the 2028-29 season. He scored 24 goals and registered 56 points in 2022-23, both down from his 2021-22 performance with Colorado, while the Flames missed the Stanley Cup playoffs by a margin of just three points.
Head over to NHL.com to check out Kadri’s full chat with Zeisberger!