Nazem Kadri

Nazem Kadri (; born October 6, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He currently plays for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL) and serves as an alternate captain. He has also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche.

Kadri is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Avalanche in 2022. He is also a two-time All-Star, being named one in 2022 and 2023.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Kadri played parts of two seasons with the Kitchener Rangers and parts of two seasons with the London Knights of Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had a successful time with both his teams. He helped the Rangers during the 2007–08 OHL playoffs. They defeated the Plymouth Whalers, Sarnia Sting, and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. They defeated the Belleville Bulls in the finals to win the OHL championship. They lost to the Spokane Chiefs 4–1 in the Memorial Cup Finals. With the Knights, he was chosen to play in the OHL All-Star Classic.

He was drafted 7th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2009 NHL entry draft. On July 6, 2009, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract to join the Maple Leafs. On February 8, 2010, the Leafs called Kadri up and he made his NHL debut in a 3–2 loss against the San Jose Sharks. On November 16, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting a Kris Versteeg goal in a 5–4 win against the Nashville Predators. On March 19, 2011, Kadri scored his first career NHL goal against Tim Thomas in a 5–2 win against the Boston Bruins. On February 28, 2013, he recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 5–4 win against the New York Islanders. On September 11, 2013, Kadri signed a two-year, $5.8 million contract to stay with the Leafs. On July 5, 2015, Kadri signed a one-year, $4.1 million contract to stay with the Leafs. On April 13, 2016, Kadri signed a six-year, $27 million contract to stay with the Leafs.

On July 1, 2019, the Maple Leafs traded Kadri along with Calle Rosén and a 2020 third-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Tyson Barrie, Alexander Kerfoot and a 2020 sixth-round pick. He had a very successful 2021–22 season, scoring 28 goals and recording 59 assists which set a new career-best in both assists and points for him. When the Avalanche faced the St. Louis Blues in Game 3 of the playoffs, Kadri was involved in an incident where he collided with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington which caused Binnington to leave the game with a lower-body injury. Blues coach Craig Berube blamed Kadri and pointed to Kadri's multiple other suspensions over his NHL career, stating "Look at Kadri's reputation. That's all I've got to say." Kadri stated that he did not do it on purpose and that it was a mistake. the Avalanche went on to eliminate the Blues and then the Edmonton Oilers before defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning four games to two in the Final to win the Stanley Cup.

On August 18, 2022, Kadri signed a seven-year, $49 million contract to join the Calgary Flames. On November 5, 2025, Kadri played his 1,000th NHL game.

Personal life
Kadri is a Muslim, becoming both the first Muslim drafted by the Maple Leafs and the highest-drafted Muslim in NHL history until 2012 when Nail Yakupov was drafted 1st overall.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1990 births
Category:Living people
Category:Calgary Flames players
Category:Canadian ice hockey centres
Category:Canadian Muslims
Category:Colorado Avalanche players
Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario
Category:Sportspeople from London, Ontario
Category:Stanley Cup champions
Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players
Category:Toronto Marlies players