'Elaborate process' signs Nazem Kadri to Calgary Flames

Nazem Kadori said he expressed interest in theCalgary Flames the moment they became an unrestricted free agent, but before finally signing at the dotted line on Thursday. In a statement, it was "an elaborate process."

"Patience has certainly paid off for me some," Kadri told reporters on a Zoom call Friday. There were some decisions that had to be made."

The Flames' wild offseason saw the team sign a coveted free agent to a 7-year, $49 million contract on Thursday. and made even more dramatic changes.

Read more: Calgary Flames buys his Nazem Kadri. Monaghan dispatched to Montreal

Before the deal was finalized, Calgary gave Sean his Monaghan and conditionally his 2025 first-round pick to Montreal his Canadian. and asked for further consideration to create his space in Salary. Kadori's contract.

"That's part of the reason it took so long," Kadri said from Paris on vacation. rice field.

Kadri, 32, is an All-Star in Colorado, where the Avalanche ended with Stanley winning his Cup free after his season. did.

The advantage of returning to Canada, where his NHL career began, and participating in the 'Battle of Alberta' alongside provincial rivals the Edmonton Oilers was the advantage of signing with the Flames. was. But what ultimately led him to sign was how close he felt the team was to winning the Stanley Cup. and that was a big factor in coming to Calgary," Kadri said. "Now is the time, and the moves we've made and my participation could certainly bring us closer."

Read More: Jonny Gaudreau leaves Calgary for Columbus Old Kadri has appeared in 71 games for the Avalanche in the 2021-22 season, scoring 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists). He added 15 points in 16 playoff games, including the overtime winner in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final against Tampa Bay.

Western In the third leg of his conference final, he made his comeback after being injured after being hit in the back by Edmonton forward Evander his Kane.

Kadri's addition caps off a wild offseason for the Flames, star forward Johnny Gaudreau joins free agency and left.

Godreau, the Flames' top scorer last season (115 points) and league MVP Hart his trophy finalist, said he would not re-sign with the Flames before his agency period begins. was notified. A flame of desire to be closer to home.

The New Jersey native signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets when free agency opened on July 13.

Calgary have since been informed that forward Matthew Tkachuk, who had a breakout season scoring 42 goals and 104 points, will not sign a contract extension after next season.

What appeared to be a potential nightmare for Calgary was that the Flames scored 115 points last season in Florida for a package that included forward Jonathan his Huberdeau and defense Mackenzie his Wieger. It started to turn around when I handed out Tokachuk to

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The Flames then locked Huberdot long-term in an eight-year, $84 million contract extension.

"Losing a player of that size is depressing for anyone," Kadri said. "But I think Brad [Flames GM Brad Treviving] has done a great job getting some returns and valuable players."

Flames put her Kadri on the roster. This isn't the first time I've tried to add to . The Flames attempted to acquire him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019, but Kadri refused the deal using a no-deal clause in his contract, after which Kadri announced that he would be joining the Avalanche on July 1, 2019. Traded. "It had nothing to do with the City of Calgary or any organization. I just wanted to stay where I am.

I think it's important because I've always admired Calgary and the city of Canada.I'm a Canadian boy.I love playing in Canada, which is certainly ironic, but it's always been

Kadri was the 7th overall pick from Toronto in the 2009 NHL Draft, appearing in 739 games for the Maple Leafs and Colorado, scoring 512 points (219 goals, 293 assists)

The London, Ontario native still has a day in the Stanley Cup. Although he has not spent time, his plans include bringing it to his hometown.

He also said he intends to bring it to Toronto, where he spent his first eight seasons in the NHL.

"I've grown a lot in that city too. There's been a lot of support there," he said.

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