![The Calgary Flames Nazem Kadri face Erik Johnson of the Colorado Avalanche on October 13.](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Party-crasher-Nazem-Kadri-has-an-immediate-impact-for-the.jpg)
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The result was a disallowed goal. Shame.
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The streak, however, mirrored Nazem Kadri’s arrival at the Saddledome, from his introduction as a sought-after summer signing for the Calgary Flames.
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The 32-year-old center is tiptoeing nowhere. Much like he crushed the crease in Tuesday’s win over the Vegas Golden Knights, Kadri crushed the party — in a good way.
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“That’s where the goals are scored, in front of the net,” Kadri recalled. “I always try to get there because I want to score. I probably disagreed with that call, I didn’t think there was a lot going on there, but you have to get to those areas, especially later in the season and in the playoffs.
Kadri, fresh off a Stanley Cup celebration with the Colorado Avalanche, was touted as a guy who would make a difference later in the season and in the playoffs.
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It remains true.
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Thing is, the new guy at No. 91 isn’t just waiting for a spring parade. He was immediately a type of impact for his new team. Over three games, all won, you could argue he was the Flames’ best forward.
The second-line center – signed in August on a seven-year contract worth US$49 million – leads his side with four points so far. It would be five if the NHL hadn’t canceled Elias Lindholm’s rebound goal against the Golden Knights. Kadri had a good hit on a loose puck early in this chaotic run before falling on Logan Thompson, who was already sprawling. The out-of-town team challenged the goalie’s interference and NHL review officials eventually agreed, ruling that Kadri “had a significant presence in the slot, impairing the ability of Thompson to play at his position”.
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Shame.
![Nazem Kadri celebrates a goal against the Edmonton Oilers on October 15.](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666266901_950_Party-crasher-Nazem-Kadri-has-an-immediate-impact-for-the.jpg)
But as he said himself as the Flames turned their attention to Thursday’s clash with the Buffalo Sabers (7:30 p.m. MT, Sportsnet 360/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), good things will happen. it keeps getting cracked from the edge of the blue paint.
“I like where my game is,” said Kadri, one of the two locals – Mikael Backlund is the other – already in double figures in shots on net. “Of course, there are some areas that I would like to improve. But I move with the rhythm, I play with the rhythm, I play physically and I play games. This is where I feel like I’m at my best.
The Flames are far from their best — you’ll hear that from any team in Week 2 of the 82-game grind — but there’s a lot to like about the early returns on this revised roster.
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They had dominant stretches in all three contests.
They average far more shots than they give up on their side.
Their high-profile off-season additions have all made positive impressions.
MacKenzie Weegar had a pair of assists – and was celebrated as the first star – on opening night.
![MacKenzie Weegar in action against the Edmonton Oilers on October 15.](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666266901_861_Party-crasher-Nazem-Kadri-has-an-immediate-impact-for-the.jpg)
Kadri buried himself on a breakaway and also helped Andrew Mangiapane’s game-winner in the Battle of Alberta on Saturday.
Jonathan Huberdeau factored in two power-play goals to help set up the comeback against the Golden Knights and continued to endear himself to loyal fans with this post-game promise: “It’s going to be the character of our team — we’re not gonna give up. We are going to work hard all game, even if we are going to be down.
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“I think they’ve settled in really well and the interesting thing about the three of them is that they’re all outspoken,” Flames assistant coach Ryan Huska said. , who took care of the media after practice on Wednesday. “So we have more conversations now between our players than in the past. I think it comes from maturity and older players, of course, but also from a bit of experience. Kads understands that you really have to have a connection to the people you’re on the ice with so if you don’t like the way something is done there’s a lot of communication going on right now and a lot of these guys have brought it up and it makes the guys who were here in the past part of it, as well.
“That’s something that’s been a noticeable difference – that we’re a much more vocal team behind the scenes.”
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Outside of those locker room walls, new guys remain the talk of the town.
So far, it’s been an impressive introduction. Kadri’s tenacity shows in almost every shift. It’s more about stepping in than blending in – and that’s a compliment.
“There were a lot of positives,” he said. “Our schedule was really tough to start the season – good opponents, some people you’re going to think will be there at the end – and we were able to respond and play really good hockey.
“Now, of course, there is room for improvement and we always want to keep improving and it’s the start of the season so you don’t expect everything to be in good shape at the halfway point yet. season. But we had good tests, and I think we responded.
ICE FRIES: Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin was out for work on Wednesday. He’s now missed a pair of practices this week, a sure sign he’s been bothered by some kind of nagging injury, although he still logged over 20 minutes against the Golden Knights. If Hanifin needs a night off Thursday, Nikita Zadorov would be elevated from the third couple.
Twitter.com/WesGilbertson
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