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Calgary Flames’ Resilience Shines Amid Major Overhaul
Nazem Kadri found himself in a unique position as changes swept through the Calgary Flames organization. With the team opting for a rebuild, a significant number of veteran players departed, raising questions about the future direction of the club.
In the previous season, the Flames traded notable players, including defencemen Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov, alongside forward Elias Lindholm. The situation escalated further when goaltender Jacob Markstrom was dealt to the New Jersey Devils in June, marking a dramatic shift within the team.
Kadri, who signed a lucrative contract in 2022 and still has five seasons left on his deal, observed the departures closely, contemplating whether he would be next. He mentioned, “Survey the situation as closely as possible. I’ve had talks with management and ownership. They’ve been transparent. I always thought we could still be competitive. That remains the case. I’m going to go out there and continue to play how I’ve always played. Hopefully, that gives us a shot.”
As they enter the 2024-25 season, the Flames have defied expectations. Rather than being positioned at the bottom of the standings, they currently hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a record of 23-16-7.
“It’s exciting,” Kadri expressed, noting his own performance with 16 goals and 16 assists in 46 games. “We’re one of those teams that has hopes to be in the playoffs. That’s really all you can ask.”
Kadri’s Role in Promoting Youth Hockey
In addition to his on-ice contributions, Kadri is also recognized as one of the five regional ambassadors for Kruger’s Big Assist program, which has allocated $1 million to increase access to hockey for children across Canada in 2025. His involvement underscores his commitment to growing the sport among the youth.
Despite the tumultuous changes, the internal belief within the Flames remained strong. “We’ve been a group that’s able to respond nicely to adversity,” Kadri, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, noted. With the upcoming milestone of his 950th regular-season game, he added, “A lot of guys are playing with a chip on their shoulder. We’ve been doubted by a lot of people. We’ve used that as fuel.”
Kadri noted that trade rumors had surrounded him since the beginning of training camp, which he found somewhat irritating. “It’s a little annoying, I’d be lying if I told you otherwise,” he acknowledged with a laugh, emphasizing that the skepticism they faced only motivated the team further. The Flames, boasting a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, are looking to prove their doubters wrong.
Emerging Talent in the Flames’ Roster
Among the new contributors is rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, who has been impressively performing this season with a 17-7-2 record, a .918 save percentage, and a 2.49 goals-against average across 26 starts. Kadri praised Wolf’s work ethic and confidence, noting his ability to handle pressure as a key attribute. “Just the way he approaches the game, his skill set, how fast he is and how he anticipates,” he remarked, drawing a comparison to former NHL star Jonathan Quick.
As the Flames continue their unexpected playoff chase, Kadri remains optimistic about their prospects. “Just be in that conversation,” he stated, with determination as the team looks forward to the second half of the season.
Source
globalnews.ca