When Erik Johnson returned to the Avalanche last year, he moved right back into the Denver-area home he had occupied before departing in 2023. It won’t be the same living situation for the reacquired Nazem Kadri.
“I do not have my place. I wish I did, though. I wish I didn’t sell it,” Kadri said on Friday. “But I sold it, made a few bucks, and now I’m just probably gonna have to buy another one.”
Kadri is back with the Avs for the first time since 2022 after general manager Chris MacFarland struck a deal with the Calgary Flames right before the trade deadline buzzer. In return for Kadri and a 2027 fourth-rounder, the Flames received forward Victor Olofsson, prospect Max Curran, a 2028 conditional first-round pick, and a 2027 conditional second-round pick.
Calgary is also retaining 20% of Kadri’s $7 million AAV until 2029.
“I’m over the moon. I think initially, when something of this magnitude happens, it’s always a little bit sad, because you form such great relationships with the guys in the room,” Kadri said of his 307-game stint with the Flames. “But knowing that I’m coming back to Colorado is just a dream come true with the situation they’ve put themselves in, and just me being able to tag along and add. I cannot wait.”
Kadri, 35, was a fan favorite with the Avs. His final season with Colorado was his best, as he recorded 87 points in 71 regular-season games before playing a key role in the Stanley Cup championship run. In the second round, Kadri faced racial threats after a collision between him and Jordan Binnington knocked the St. Louis goalie out of the series.
He needed security to escort him to the following game as a precaution, and went on to record a hat trick to give the Avs a 3-1 series lead. They later advanced to the Western Conference Final, and Kadri sustained a thumb injury in Game 3.
While everyone thought it would be the end of his season, Kadri worked his way back quickly and was in the lineup for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final weeks later. With a broken thumb, he scored the overtime game-winning goal that night, again giving Colorado a commanding 3-1 series lead and putting the franchise one win away from the Stanley Cup.
The rest was history. His role became the stuff of legend.
“I bring toughness, I guess. And I think I’m very much the same player as what I was,” he said. “I’m just gonna do anything I can. I’m very familiar with the situation and these players, and I know how to complement them, which I’m excited about.”
When he left that summer, it was only because the salary cap didn’t allow for Colorado to re-sign him. Oftentimes, the top free agents like Kadri sign within the first few days of free agency. It took Kadri five weeks to find a home in Calgary. And it was largely because he didn’t want to leave.
He gave the Avs every opportunity to find a way to fit him in. It just wasn’t adding up. Instead, Kadri landed a seven-year, $49 million contract with Calgary.
The Flames didn’t qualify for the playoffs in any of the seasons he was there, and their positioning in this year’s standings meant it was time to find a new home.
Kadri, admittedly, had Colorado at the top of his destination list. He wanted the Avs to trade for him, just as they did on July 1, 2019, when the writing was on the wall for him to move on from Toronto.
“I have a special bond with the team. I’ve always been watching from afar and checking in to see how all my buddies are doing and how the team’s doing,” Kadri said. “Of course, over the years, I’ve been staying tuned and following the group. So, what a team. What a team. I’m just so thrilled that I get to try to add to that.
“It’s funny, over the course of my professional career, I’ve only been traded twice, and it’s been to the same team both times. They must really like me.”
MacFarland said he expects Kadri to be in Denver on Saturday. It’s unclear if he’ll dress when Colorado hosts the Minnesota Wild in a matinee matchup on Sunday. But that’s the goal. And it would be the game that reignites his career with the team where he’s had the most success.
“Oh man, it’s surreal. It really is. Just feels like deja vu all over again and nostalgic to say the least,” Kadri said. “Being able to play with guys I’m familiar with and guys I’m good friends with, it always helps entering a dressing room when you know a couple of faces and understand the coaching staff.”
Many of his former teammates are gone. But the goal remains the same: “I understand the Avalanche standard. So none of these are new to me, which is exciting. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit for me to just adapt and kind of get my feet going, but I’m expecting to play soon, hopefully, and I certainly will be ready to play.”
As for Colorado’s remaining schedule, they play the Calgary Flames three times. It’s one of the only clubs the Avalanche haven’t yet faced this season. That means Kadri will take a trip back to the Saddledome relatively soon. And he’ll also face his former teammates twice more at Ball Arena.
“Nate Dogg knows I don’t cut deals out there,” Kadri said.
