NHL Trade Rumors: Nazem Kadri Turned Down More Money To Sign In Calgary

After finally reaching the mountain top and hoisting the Stanley Cup above his head with the Colorado Avalanche, Nazem Kadri had a big decision to make when it came to free agency, and despite all the rumours about a potential reunion in Colorado or the potential 'done deal' in New York, he ended up signing a 7-year, $49 million contract with the Calgary Flames. After acquiring Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar earlier in the off-season, Kadri gives this team some fantastic centre depth and looks to ensure that this team can take it a step further, which was reportedly a big reason why he signed in Calgary.

Nazem Kadri tells us other teams offered more in free agency, but the opportunity to win now was a huge factor in his decision to sign with Calgary.

Kadri says he’d put the centre depth of him, Elias Lindholm, and Mikael Backlund up “against anyone in the league”. #Flames
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) August 25, 2022

According to Kadri in an interview with Flames media, he turned down more money per year to sign with the Calgary Flames, as winning now was a huge priority in the decision. After losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs just a few short months ago, the Flames have gone through a personnel whirlwind, but ending with Huberdeau and Kadri to replace Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau seems like a huge win, and could make this team even better in 2022.

Kadri didn't give any details as to which teams offered him more money, as the reported Islanders deal was the same one that he received in Calgary, and Colorado wouldn't offer him the term, but either way, this may work out to be a great deal, as the Flames are a genuine Cup contender in 2022. We can't tell whether this was a good move or not, as we don't know which team he turned down more money from, but he ended up getting a great deal in Calgary, which gives him term, a good AAV and a chance to win yet another Stanley Cup.

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports