Nazem Kadri Reveals Which Teams He Declined In Free Agency Before Picking Calgary

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Ryan Hall
October 22, 2024 (8:56)

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Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri revealed in his book «Dreamer» that he had turned down several American teams offers to return to Canada.

In the book he explained that the New York Islanders, New York Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings all had offers on the table for the 34-year-old. Kadri, began his career in 2009 when he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, first round, 7th overall.

Spending ten years with the Maple Leafs, Kadri moved on to the Colorado Avalanche where he won the Stanley Cup and then found his way to the Calgary Flames. In 2022, he signed a seven-year deal with the team worth $49 million which hold the cap hit of $7,000,000 per season. He clearly has a draw to Canada as Canadian teams were what brought Kadri and his family to hockey. He mentioned how his father loved the Montreal Canadiens as soon as he arrived in Canada.

Many pundits across the NHL feel that he could be another trade target for the Flames even though he currently holds a no move clause.

The Flames are in the midst a retool or a full rebuild where a player like Kadri would be quite beneficial for a Stanley Cup contender. Moving a player with his salary will be difficult as he holds four years remaining and likely the team would need to retain 50% which would be a hard pill to swallow.

Time will tell on what the Flames will do and what Kadri will do but for now he will remain a fixture with the Flames as the team enjoys its unexpected fast start and sit first in the Pacific Division.