Nazem Kadri finalizing deal with Calgary Flames, sources say

The Calgary Flames are finalizing a deal with free agent forward Nazem Kadri, multiple sources told ESPN.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Flames and Kadri were completing details of the deal, which was first reported by ESPN's Kevin Weekes.

A rough-and-tumble veteran with enough speed and skill to play on a top line, Kadri authored a career year in 2021-22 as the Colorado Avalanche marched to their first title since 2001. He totaled 87 points in 71 regular-season games, anchoring the Avalanche's second line.

Kadri, 31, meshed in well with Colorado's high-octane power-play units and raised his profile even more in the postseason, returning from a thumb injury to score an overtime goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was injured in the Western Conference Finals, when Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane incurred a boarding penalty riding Kadri into the wall behind the net. The Avalanche went on to sweep that series.

Kadri also showed a determined sense of resolve in the playoffs as Colorado rolled up four series wins. He managed to avoid the Department of Player Safety and any league discipline, which was a postseason problem for him as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.