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The Calgary Flames must be fortunate they have Nazem Kadri around for the long term.
At a time when the Flames are in a transition period after trading veterans Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev and others last season, Kadri has embraced life as a Flame and really turned up his game this season.
While Kadri isn’t near the top of the league in any offensive category, he’s gone about his business like a true pro and very quietly put up numbers that rival his peak offensive years.
With seven goals in his last five games, Kadri now has 30 goals and 56 points in 71 games with the Flames – one more goal than he posted in 82 games last season. Kadri is now just two goals away from equalling his career-best 32, which he posted in back-to-back seasons as a Toronto Maple Leaf in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Calgary GM Craig Conroy wisely held on to the 34-year-old, who has a no-move clause anyway, and the Flames’ retool has been effective in no small part because Kadri has delivered as hoped. Sure, he may not be the No. 1 center for the next decade that the Flames could use, but asking him to waive his clause and potentially moving him would have left an even bigger hole.
Kadri’s contributions include his terrific work alongside left winger Jonathan Huberdeau, who leads the team with 57 points. Kadri has also worked well with youngster Matt Coronato, who has emerged as a scoring threat with 20 goals in 66 games. Kadri’s grit and experience make him a foundational piece who is well worth the Flames’ $7-million annual investment, which runs for another four years after this one.
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Flames forward relishes homecoming as team shows resilience in playoff chaseFor Calgary Flames winger Matt Coronato, this week has been about more than just hockey; it's been a homecoming. As the Flames make their way through the New York area, Saturday’s game against the Islanders is particularly meaningful for the young forward. As a Stanley Cup winner with the Colorado Avalanche, Kadri doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. If it were not for emerging star goalie Dustin Wolf, Kadri might be Calgary’s most valuable player this season.
His veteran know-how and professionalism will rub off on the Flames’ youngsters. Kadri’s four game-winning goals are second on the team behind Huberdeau’s six, and his snarl and robust physical game would be valuable no matter what team he was playing for. So you’d better believe the Flames are happy he’s happy to be there for a long time to come.
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