Free agent forward Nazem Kadri agreed to a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
Kadri, 31, recorded career-high totals in assists (59) and points (87) to go along with 28 goals in 71 games last season with the Colorado Avalanche. He added 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 16 games in the postseason as part of the Avalanche’s run to a Stanley Cup title.
“This is an exciting day for my family,” Kadri said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join such a passionate fan base and organization. I’ve always loved the city of Calgary and I look forward to giving everything I have to this team. Winning a Stanley Cup is a true honor and it only makes you want it more. I would love nothing more but to see another banner in Calgary. Go Flames go.”
Kadri played in 2021-22 in the final season of a six-year, $27 million contract.
“Nazem is a highly competitive top six player who makes our center ice position deep,” said Flames general manager Brad Treliving. “He brings a high skill level and determination to our group combined with his recent experience of a Stanley Cup championship. We look forward to welcoming Nazem and his family to Calgary and his contributions to our team’s ultimate success.”
The Flames traded forward Sean Monahan to the Montreal Canadiens to clear cap space for Kadri. Montreal also received a conditional first-round pick in 2025 in exchange for future considerations.
Monahan, 27, is entering the final season of a seven-year contract that carries a $6.375 million annual cap hit.
The addition of Kadri and the Monahan trade are the latest moves in an eventful offseason for the Flames, who acquired star forward Jonathan Huberdeau, defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt and a conditional first-round pick in 2025 from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk. Huberdeau has since signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension.
Calgary also saw star Johnny Gaudreau depart to the Columbus Blue Jackets in free agency.
Kadri has 512 points (219 goals, 293 assists) in 739 career games with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2010-19) and Avalanche (2019-22).
He was selected by the Maple Leafs with the seventh overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft. Toronto dealt him to the Avalanche along with defenseman Calle Rosen and a third-round pick in exchange for defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward Alexander Kerfoot and a sixth-round pick on July 1, 2019.
Monahan totaled career lows in goals (eight) and points (23) in 65 games in 2021-22 before undergoing season-ending hip surgery in April.
He has 462 points (212 goals, 250 assists) in 656 career games since being selected by the Flames with the sixth overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft.
–Field Level Media
