It’s hard not to have a take on the Calgary Flames‘ center Nazem Kadri. Maybe you love his swagger. Maybe you’ve rolled your eyes at a poorly timed penalty and suspension. Either way, you’ve noticed him. Everyone has – especially, it seems, the officials.
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Kadri’s career has had just about everything—expectations, controversy, clutch goals, and ultimately, redemption. From the bright lights of Toronto to the mile-high city of Denver, he’s taken the hard road and come out the other side with a Stanley Cup and a legacy that’s still being written.
From London’s Rinks, Kadri Rose to Hockey’s Big Stage
Kadri’s story starts in London, Ontario. Born in 1990, when he showed potential, his family ensured he had every chance they could provide. Kadri made noise in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Kitchener Rangers and later the London Knights—flair, grit, and a chip on his shoulder.
That edge caught the Toronto Maple Leafs’ attention, and in 2009, they grabbed him seventh overall in the NHL Entry Draft. For Kadri, for his family, and a whole lot of fans, it was a moment that felt bigger than hockey.
Kadri Found Chaos, Controversy, and Big Moments in Toronto
Kadri’s time in Toronto? Let’s call it what it was: loud. He spent ten years with the Maple Leafs, and for much of that time, he was their emotional spark. Back-to-back 30-goal seasons. Game-changing shifts. Plenty of chirping and lots of attitude.
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He played with heart—and sometimes, it got the better of him. Playoff suspensions hurt. So did the narrative that followed. In Toronto, there’s not much room for error, and Kadri made a couple of big mistakes at the worst times. Ironically, the team tried to move him to the Flames, but he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause. However, by 2019, the Maple Leafs convinced him it was time to move on, sending him to the Colorado Avalanche in a trade that felt as much about a reset as it was about hockey.
A New Chapter—and a New Kadri—in Colorado
Some players fade after leaving a big market. Kadri did the opposite. With the Avalanche, he found the right fit. Less noise. More trust. A team built for a deep run. And Kadri thrived. There, he joined stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. He found a place and thrived.
He tightened up his two-way game, stayed in control, and kept that edge, just in a smarter way. Then came 2021–22. A career-high 87 points. An All-Star nod. When the playoffs rolled around? Kadri showed up when it mattered. He battled through injury, played big minutes, and helped lead the Avs to a Stanley Cup.
(Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
The moment he lifted the Cup that had eluded him in Toronto? That was history. Kadri became a champion—a win that echoed far beyond hockey. It was a moment of pride for the community of London, Ontario, that had rarely seen itself represented on that stage.
Kadri Signs in Calgary and Turns into an Ultimate Veteran
After the Stanley Cup win, Kadri hit the open market and signed a seven-year, $49 million deal with the Flames. It was a big contract, but it also said something else: he’s still got plenty to offer. In his first year in Calgary, he posted 56 points. Then bounced back with 75.
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In 2024–25? In 82 games—35 goals, 67 points, and the same mix of skill, edge, and leadership that’s defined his game since day one. Now in his mid-30s, he’s a solid NHL veteran in every sense. But he’s still got that unmatched spark. Still drives the play. Still plays like someone with something to prove. He’s still noticeable and remains a difference-maker.
Kadri’s NHL Career Has Been Far More Than Numbers
What makes Kadri’s story so captivating for all hockey fans isn’t just the points or even the Stanley Cup win. It’s the journey. The way he’s worn every part of it—good, bad, loud, and in between. Kadri has never pretended to be perfect. He’s just kept grinding. In doing so, he’s built a career that’s authentic, complicated, and undeniably his own.
From a polarizing figure in Toronto to clutch performer in Colorado to respected vet in Calgary, Kadri’s proven something many fans doubted: Good hockey players can evolve without losing their identity. Nazem Kadri hasn’t followed a straight path through his NHL career. But maybe that’s exactly what has helped make it work.
[Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]
