Kadri signs seven-year, $49 million contract with Flames 7-for-7. Yeah, I'd love him on my roster, but how do I win with minor league salary support?

The 31-year-old forward scored 28 goals and set NHL career highs in assists (59), points (87), and power-play points (29) in 71 regular-season games for the Colorado Avalanche last season. He also tied his NHL career high with six game-winning goals.

Kadri then had 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 16 playoff games to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001. He scored the overtime winner in Game 4 of the Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, his first after missing four games because of a broken thumb.

“This is an exciting day for my family,” Kadri said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join such a passionate fan base and organization. I’ve always loved the city of Calgary, and I look forward to giving everything I have to this team. Winning a Stanley Cup is a true honor, and it only makes you want it more. I would love nothing more but to see another banner in Calgary. Go Flames go.”

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Selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the No. 7 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, Kadri has 512 points (219 goals, 293 assists) in 739 regular-season games for the Avalanche and Maple Leafs, and 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 52 playoff games.

“Nazem is a highly competitive, top-six player who makes our center ice position deep,” Calgary general manager Brad Treliving said. “He brings a high skill level and determination to our group combined with his recent experience of a Stanley Cup championship. We look forward to welcoming Nazem and his family to Calgary, and his contributions to our team’s ultimate success.”

Calgary had previously tried to acquire Kadri from Toronto in 2019, but the forward used the no-trade clause in his contract to veto the trade.

Kadri was then traded to the Avalanche on July 1, 2019.

“So what happened is they had a deal in place and they wanted me to move my no-trade clause,” Kadri said in July of 2019. “But you know, obviously, for me, it was no disrespect to Calgary or the Flames organization. I love their team and I love the direction they’re headed. I just figured that had I declined, I would have had a better opportunity of being a Maple Leaf next year, and that’s really what it came down to. I wanted to play for the Leafs next year. I wanted to be a part of that. In declining that trade, I had aspirations of being a Leaf, and we know clearly that didn’t happen.”

The Flames also traded center Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday for future considerations.

Monahan had a career-worst 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 65 games last season. The 27-year-old forward played his final game March 31 because of surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.

It was the second straight season Monahan has had the same surgery. He also had wrist surgery after the 2016-17 season, and four surgeries, one for his wrist and groin, and two to repair hernias, after being shut down near the end of the 2017-18 season.

Selected by Calgary with the No. 6 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, Monahan has 462 points (212 goals, 250 assists) in 656 regular-season games and 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 30 playoff games. He has one season remaining on a seven-year contract with Calgary on Aug. 19, 2016.

“On behalf of the entire Flames organization, I sincerely thank Sean for his nine years of selfless dedication and perseverance,” Calgary general manager Brad Treliving said. “Sean was a great Flame, a first-class individual who exemplified the definition of respect. Our team and city were fortunate to have him as a player, ambassador and member of our community. We wish Sean and his wife Brittany every success in this new chapter of their lives, and once again say thank you.”

Thursday continued a busy offseason for the Flames (50-21-11), who won the Pacific Division last season before losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Second Round.

Forward Johnny Gaudreau, who was tied for second in the NHL last season with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists), signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract ($9.75 million AAV) with the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 13, and forward Matthew Tkachuk, who was second on the Flames with 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists), was traded to the Florida Panthers on July 22 for forward Jonathan Huberdeau, defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, forward prospect Cole Schwindt and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The Flames then signed Huberdeau, who tied Gaudreau for second in the League with 115 points (30 goals, 85 assists) last season, to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension ($10.5 million AAV) on Aug. 4.

Calgary also signed forward Andrew Mangiapane to a three-year, $17.4 million contract ($5.8 million AAV), and defenseman Oliver Kylington to a two-year, $5 million contract ($2.5 million AAV) on Aug. 2. Each was a restricted free agent and avoided a salary arbitration hearing.