'I deserve a chance': Nazem Kadri fires back after Hockey Canada camp exclusion, cites career-best season and experience
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The veteran Flames forward is staking his claim not with bravado, but with a numbers-driven argument and a clear willingness to earn his way back into the conversation.
Nazem Kadri lays out his case for Olympic consideration and why he feels he belongs
Nazem Kadri pointed to his recent seasons as the evidence: last year he scored 35 goals and finished with 67 points in 82 games, a career high in goals and part of a four-season stretch that averages out to roughly 29 goals and 71.3 points per year. On his mindset about the snub, he was direct: "I feel like I deserve a chance.
I think over the last few seasons, I've certainly proven that with my statistics and the winning pedigree.
I think it speaks for itself."
That blend of goal-scoring, physical play and playoff experience is precisely the profile many national-team coaches covet — especially for a tournament like the Olympics where depth and two-way reliability often separate medal contenders from pretenders. Kadri frames himself as a proven performer who can contribute in multiple roles, not just as an offensive specialist.
How trade talk and a long-term deal affect his international hopes and Flames future
Kadri also addressed circulating trade speculation linking him to a Toronto return. He described watching rumors online as surreal: "It's (the rumors) happened quite often over the last couple months," Kadri said. "It's a little bit bizarre scrolling around and seeing your face pop up and your name pop up. Obviously, the rumor mill is pretty strong, especially around these parts."
Contractually, Kadri is secure through 2029 on a $49 million deal with a $7 million annual cap hit, which makes any Flames decision on roster construction and potential trades more strategic than urgent. For Kadri, the path to Olympic inclusion is straightforward: keep producing and force Hockey Canada's hand. He calls the opportunity "an absolute dream": "Honestly, man, it would be an absolute dream come true to somehow crack that team," he said.
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Whether Hockey Canada reconsiders or sticks to its roster plan, Kadri's message is clear — he believes form and experience should trump assumptions, and he's ready to back it up on ice.
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