Nazem Kadri describes “elaborate process” of signing with Flames

Former Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri finally made his decision earlier in the week, agreeing to a seven year contract with the Calgary Flames worth a total of $49 million (AAV of $7 millIon). With the likes of Johnny Gaudreau, John Klingberg, Andrew Copp, Claude Giroux and Darcy Kuemper already having decided on their new professional destinations, Kadri remained the lone high-profile player still on the market.

And according to Kadri, having patience in the process was a good thing.

"The patience definitely did me some good," Kadri told reporters from Paris shortly after the deal became official. "There were some decisions to be made."

To accommodate Kadri's arrival, the Flames sent forward Sean Monahan and a conditional 2025 first-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for future considerations.

"That's part of the reason why it's been taking so long," Kadri explained.

Now that Kadri is a Stanley Cup champion, he naturally wants to hold on to that feeling and to routinely compete for a title, and that's why he chose the Flames.

"Ultimately, it's about winning and that played a huge factor in me coming to Calgary," Kadri said. "The time is now and it certainly can be close with the moves we've made and me hopping on board."

Of course, fans will remember that Kadri once vetoed a trade to the Flames from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019; he would instead be dealt to the Avs.

"I didn't see myself leaving [Toronto]," Kadri said about the situation. "That had nothing to do with the city of Calgary or the organization, I just wanted to stay where I was."

"It's important for me to clarify that. I think it's important because I've always admired the city of Calgary and Canada in general. I'm a Canadian boy. I love playing in Canada but it's certainly ironic, but it was always a team that was on my radar."

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