Kadri pens Players' Tribune article addressing Post-Season Track Record

The 2021-2022 season marked a career year for Colorado Avalanche center, Nazim Kadri. He notched 28 goals and 59 assists for a total of 87 points in just 71 games. The two-time 30-goal scorer significantly increased his passing aptitude nearly doubling his previous best for assists in a season (2013-14 with 30). Kadri has always been an "all-situations" type of player, notching minutes on both special teams' units. It seems as though Kadri turned the corner at just the right moment in his career, since his contract is up at the end of the year. He is surely due a large payday following a more than 1-point/ game click.

Furthermore, Kadri was the Colorado Avalanche nominee for the NHL's King Clancy Award this week. Each team submits their choice to "a player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy contribution in his community."

On the very same day, the Players' Tribuune released a powerful article penned by Kadri titled, "I Am Who I Am." In the article, Kadri addressed two playoff hits he was previously suspended for: the first while he was part of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a hit on Boston Bruin's forward Jake Debrusk, and the second, a hit on St. Louis Blue's defensemen Justin Faulk that caused him to miss the entire second round matchup against the Vegas Golden Knight's last season.

Kadri speaks of his mentality and motivation in hockey; he speaks of his time in Toronto, the birth of his daughter, and his views on Kobe Bryant's famous "mamba mentality." He describes vetoing a trade from Toronto to Calgary, and eventually getting traded to Colorado.

Kadri is fully aware of his reputation with playoff hits and ensuing suspensions. Apparently, other players in league are fully cognizant of this fact as well. Kadri's newfound resolve to discipline was put to the test late in the Avalanche's Game 1 blow out of the Nashville Predators on Tuesday when Luke Kunin attempted to goad Kadri into doing something stupid. Immediately, defenseman Josh Manson stepped in to defend Kadri, showing his teammates' awareness of his track record.

Only time will tell if Kadri will overcome this reputation and hurtle. Colorado was the best team in the west during the regular season. If they want to make a deep run in the playoffs and finally get beyond the second round, they are going to lean heavily on Kadri in a variety of situations. At this point, his best ability is availability.

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