August 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\nKadri scored 35 goals and registered 67 points for the Flames in 2024-25, appearing in all 82 regular-season games as the team was eliminated from playoff contention during the final week. The 34-year-old forward has led Calgary in points for the last two seasons, and was tied for third in his first season there in 2022-23. Kadri joined the Flames on a seven-year, $49 million contract after stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche. He is now 15 games away from 1,000 in his career, having made his debut during the 2009-10 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI (had a) career high in goals last year,\u201d said Kadri, who last suited up for Team Canada in international competition at the 2014 World Championship. \u201cI\u2019m playing some of my best hockey. I feel good. I take pride in looking after myself and making sure, medically and physically, that everything\u2019s balanced and in line. I put in a lot of hours and a lot of time and effort to make sure I\u2019m prepared. I\u2019m just a competitive guy and when that puck drops, it\u2019s game on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if he thought his social media comment would hurt \u2014 or even help \u2014 his chances of ultimately being considered for Team Canada next year, Kadri responded: \u201cWho cares?\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cIt could help, or hurt, I\u2019m not quite sure. It\u2019s not as serious as most people thought it was. I just thought I\u2019d create a little stir. Like I mentioned, I would absolutely love to be on that team. I think I should be in consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kadri spoke to The Athletic in advance of the Hockey Diversity Alliance\u2019s inaugural \u201cSummer Fest\u201d event, to be held in Toronto on Saturday. Described by the HDA as the \u201cworld\u2019s largest youth BIPOC road hockey tournament,\u201d the event will feature 250 children from marginalized communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Kadri will be among several HDA members participating, along with founder Akim Aliu, retired NHL forward Wayne Simmonds and Islanders forward Anthony Duclair. Social activists and former NFL stars Marshawn Lynch and Colin Kaepernick are also expected to be present, bringing an even bigger spotlight to the festivities at Canoe Landing Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe afternoon session will be great for the kids,\u201d Kadri said. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a carnival-type setup. Great for families and young kids. Should have a couple of celebrities as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Back in Calgary, it\u2019s not just the Canadian roster that will draw eyes. Barring a trade before the puck drops on the 2025-26 season, the spotlight figures to shine brightly on one of Kadri\u2019s Flames teammates: Rasmus Andersson, the 28-year-old Swedish defenseman who has been mired in trade rumors. Andersson is entering the final year of a six-year, $27.30 million deal and could become a free agent next summer. Andersson scored 11 goals and 31 points in 81 games last season, and has scored 47 goals and 231 points in 536 career games with the Flames.<\/p>\n
The Athletic\u2019s Pierre LeBrun previously reported<\/a> Andersson had ranked the Golden Knights highest on his trade wish list. Kadri, however, hopes to see his teammate stick around in Flames colors.<\/p>\n\u201cObviously, that\u2019s between him and the team. That\u2019s their business,\u201d Kadri said. \u201cBut for me, (Rasmus) is a great player. He\u2019s a great friend. I\u2019d love to see him stick around. But at the end of the day I think every player has faced, at some point in their career, a big decision they\u2019ve got to make. I think he\u2019s at that point now.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, I\u2019d love to continue to have him on my team. He\u2019s one of our top defensemen, of course. He\u2019s been a long-time Flame. He\u2019s spent a lot of time out in Calgary. I know he enjoys the city. It\u2019s between them now. I expect to see him, obviously, at training camp, and I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n