Ex-Flames Nazem Kadri Is Still Built for the Playoff Grind
Nazem Kadri’s ride this season has been one of those stories that somehow makes total sense once you think about it. He started the year in Calgary, playing gritty, smart, and dangerous hockey. Then he was moved to Colorado and basically slotted into a second life with the Avalanche. By the end of the regular season, he’d put up 50 points across both clubs, finished with a ton of shots (213), and even with that minus-30 number, he still looked like a useful piece anytime the Avs needed a little brass and skill mixed together.
Unfortunately, Kadri broke his finger at the end of the regular season.
He enters the playoffs, coming off a broken finger that cost him the last five regular-season games. So, his health was the big question heading into the playoffs. The good news is that he’s back, and he’s immediately skating on the third line and is getting looks on the top power play in practice.
That’s classic Kadri versatility. He can grind in the dot, create space in the slot, and still pop up on the scoresheet. He’s no longer one of the flashiest names on Colorado’s roster, but his playoff track record speaks for itself. In seven postseason runs, he’s put up 19 goals and 44 points in 52 games. And he was a big piece of that Avalanche 2022 Cup run (15 points in 16 games). When the pressure goes up, Kadri seems to find another gear.
Kadri’s role has shifted with this Avalanche team.
What’s interesting is how his role has shifted. In Calgary, he was more of a top-six offensive engine at times. In Colorado, he’s been asked to lean into a third-line, heavy-lift role that is frankly perfect for the later stages of a playoff series. He brings physicality (50 hits this season), relentless forechecking, and a knack for drawing penalties.
If injuries or slumps hit the Avs, don’t be surprised to see him bumped up into the top six; he’s got the chops to handle tougher minutes and still contribute on special teams. That kind of flexibility is gold in the playoffs.
Kadri can still score.
His numbers this year aren’t just a fluke. Kadri still fires pucks and hunts in high-danger areas. He’s also a player opponents respect, especially around the boards and the blue paint when things get messy. The Avalanche are better with him in the lineup. He’s a veteran who knows how to win, who still competes like a younger guy, and who can change the tone of a shift with a single hit or a timely play.
If Colorado goes deep again, Kadri’s experience and edge will be one of those quiet reasons why the team keeps rolling.