Nazem Kadri contract details: Free agent center reportedly signs with the Flames on seven-year deal

Abraham Smith

Over a month into the NHL free agency period, Nazem Kadri finally has his new home as it was reported that the 2022 Stanley Cup champion signed a seven-year, $49 million deal with the Flames on Thursday. It carries an AAV of $7 million per year.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes was first involved in the deal, while TSN’s Darren Dreger covered the tenure.

Kadri was considered one of the best players available after a career year with the Avalanche. After the onslaught on day one of free agency, he was the best player yet to be signed and that lasted until a deal was struck with the Flames.

Kadri’s camp had revealed early in the free agency period that he would be taking his time before agreeing to a deal, but I’m not sure many expected the 31-year-old to take so long.

It was previously reported that the Avalanche was still interested Make room to sign Kadri additionally Islanders are reportedly his next targetas the silence on the rumor front was just right for the way Isles GM Lou Lamoriello is conducting business.

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He ends up in Calgary, however, where the team has gone from a potential rebuild to a real contender after the loss of Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, with new faces like Johnathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar joining Kadri in Alberta.

The Flames then acted to make room for Kadri Sean Monahan to the Canadians, According to reports. The 27-year-old has been hit hard by injuries over the past two seasons and ended up at LTIR last year. He is in the final year of his seven-year contract, which has a cap of $6.375 million. Not only does it create some cap relief, but it also opens a dot in the middle.

Nazem Kadri contract details

According to Dreger, the contract is for seven years for $7 million, totaling $49 million.

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Kadri’s original asking price was around $9 million per year to start a freelance agency, but the market just wasn’t there for that asking price. Instead, Kadri is getting $7 million per season, which is still a raise from the $4.5 million per year he was making from his previous contract.

How old is Nazem Kadri?

Kadri, now 31, is entering his 14th season and will be 32 in October. He will be 38 and entering the deal’s final year, which could put a strain on the back half of his seven-year contract with Calgary.

But now he’s giving the Flames a proven top-tier second-line center. This is a great signing for Calgary’s near future.

How does Kadri fit into the Flames?

While not a top-line center, Kadri is an excellent second-line center, having successfully filled that role at both Avalanche and Maple Leafs. In a competitive team, Kadri shouldn’t be snooping on top-line minutes unless it’s from injury.

The good news is that he’s not tasked with playing on the first forward combination. The Flames already have Elias Lindholm, who was a Selke finalist last season, as their No. 1 center. Mikael Backlund had duties mid-second row last season but can now be pushed back to the third row, giving the Flames a very , very good 1-2-3 in the middle.

Since Monahan has moved to Montreal, there will be no more traffic jams at the center position. The Flames should easily be able to roll Lindholm, Kadri, Backlund and someone like new signee Kevin Rooney as the four centres.

Nazem Kadri 2021-22 Stats

Kadri is coming off his best season yet, recording career-high assists (59) and points (87). He also added 15 points in 16 playoff games, including the OT winner in Game 4, to give the Avalanche a 3-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals.

His 29 power play points was also a career high for Kadri as he benefited from seeing time in Colorado’s top PP unit.

games Goals assists Points +/- PP points PIM
71 28 59 87 13 29 71

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