Regardless of not receiving an invite to Hockey Canada’s upcoming nationwide workforce orientation camp, 16-year NHL veteran and Calgary Flames middle Nazem Kadri believes he ought to nonetheless be thought-about for its roster on the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“I really feel like I deserve an opportunity,” Kadri informed The Athletic on Thursday. “I believe over the previous few seasons I’ve actually confirmed that with my statistics and the profitable pedigree. I believe it speaks for itself.”
Forty-two different NHLers are slated to attend a three-day, off-ice camp from Aug. 26-28 in Calgary. There, as Hockey Canada govt Scott Salmond stated in a launch, they’ll “kick off the highway to Italy.” Earlier this month, Kadri not-so-cryptically dropped three query marks within the remark part of a social media submit saying the information.
“Truthfully, man, it might be an absolute dream come true to someway crack that workforce,” Kadri stated. “I’ve been a protracted shot earlier than. I’m trying ahead to giving myself a chance. However I perceive I’m going to must play nicely.”
Nazem Kadri feedback on being left off Canada’s Orientation Camp roster.
HT (IG/43kadri) pic.twitter.com/5O4MoEjIb7
— BarDown (@BarDown) August 2, 2025
Kadri scored 35 targets and registered 67 factors for the Flames in 2024-25, showing in all 82 regular-season video games because the workforce was eradicated from playoff rivalry through the remaining week. The 34-year-old ahead has led Calgary in factors for the final 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’s now 15 video games away from 1,000 in his profession, having made his debut through the 2009-10 season.
“I (had a) profession excessive in targets final 12 months,” stated Kadri, who final suited up for Group Canada in worldwide competitors on the 2014 World Championship. “I’m taking part in a few of my finest hockey. I really feel good. I take delight in taking care of myself and ensuring, medically and bodily, that every thing’s balanced and in line. I put in quite a lot of hours and quite a lot of effort and time to ensure I’m ready. I’m only a aggressive man and when that puck drops, it’s sport on.”
Requested if he thought his social media remark would damage — and even assist — his probabilities of finally being thought-about for Group Canada subsequent 12 months, Kadri responded: “Who cares?”
He continued: “It might assist, or damage, I’m not fairly positive. It’s not as severe as most individuals thought it was. I simply thought I’d create a bit stir. Like I discussed, I might completely like to be on that workforce. I believe I needs to be in consideration.”
Kadri spoke to The Athletic prematurely of the Hockey Variety Alliance’s inaugural “Summer season Fest” occasion, to be held in Toronto on Saturday. Described by the HDA because the “world’s largest youth BIPOC highway hockey event,” the occasion will function 250 kids from marginalized communities all through the Higher Toronto Space. Kadri can be amongst a number of HDA members collaborating, together with founder Akim Aliu, retired NHL ahead Wayne Simmonds and Islanders ahead Anthony Duclair. Social activists and former NFL stars Marshawn Lynch and Colin Kaepernick are additionally anticipated to be current, bringing an excellent larger highlight to the festivities at Canoe Touchdown Park.
“The afternoon session can be nice for the youngsters,” Kadri stated. “It’s nearly like a carnival-type setup. Nice for households and younger youngsters. Ought to have a few celebrities as nicely.”
Again in Calgary, it’s not simply the Canadian roster that may draw eyes. Barring a commerce earlier than the puck drops on the 2025-26 season, the highlight figures to shine brightly on one among Kadri’s Flames teammates: Rasmus Andersson, the 28-year-old Swedish defenseman who has been mired in commerce rumors. Andersson is coming into the ultimate 12 months of a six-year, $27.30 million deal and will develop into a free agent subsequent summer season. Andersson scored 11 targets and 31 factors in 81 video games final season, and has scored 47 targets and 231 factors in 536 profession video games with the Flames.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun previously reported Andersson had ranked the Golden Knights highest on his commerce want record. Kadri, nevertheless, hopes to see his teammate stick round in Flames colours.
“Clearly, that’s between him and the workforce. That’s their enterprise,” Kadri stated. “However for me, (Rasmus) is a superb participant. He’s an important good friend. I’d like to see him stick round. However on the finish of the day I believe each participant has confronted, sooner or later of their profession, an enormous determination they’ve acquired to make. I believe he’s at that time now.
“Clearly, I’d like to proceed to have him on my workforce. He’s one among our high defensemen, in fact. He’s been a long-time Flame. He’s spent quite a lot of outing in Calgary. I do know he enjoys the town. It’s between them now. I count on to see him, clearly, at coaching camp, and I’m positive he’ll be able to go.”
