Nazem Kadri (born 6.10.1990) is a Canadian ice hockey center. He has played in the NHL since 2010 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche among with recent Calder Trophy winner, Cale Makar.

Early Career

At the minor junior level, Kadri played with London Jr. Knights. Kadri started his OHL career with Kitchener Rangers after being selected in the first round and 18th overall in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. Kadri played two seasons with Kitchener Rangers and his second season (2007-08) Kadri led the Rangers to the Memorial Cup final – they lost to the Spokane Chiefs. Kadri played 68 games and made 65 (25+40) points in that season. After the season, Kadri was traded to the London Knights, so he came back to his hometown. In 2008-09 season, Kadri made 78 (26+53) points in 56 regular season games. Kadri was 7th overall pick in 2009 NHL Draft by Toronto Maple Leafs. On 6.7.2009, Kadri signed three-year contract with the Maple Leafs. After being cut from the Maple Leafs, Kadri returned to play for the Knights in OHL. In season 2009-10, he made 93 (35+58) points in 56 regular season games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

On 8.2.2010, Kadri played his first NHL game with the Maple Leafs – this was one-game-only call-up, and he spend rest of the season with the London Knights. Kadri started 2010-11 season with Toronto Marlies in AHL. Kadri was lately called up by the Maple Leafs and he made 12 (3+9) points in 29 games. In season 2012-13, after NHL resumed from lockout, Kadri made his breakthrough. He played 48 regular season games and made 44 (18+26) points, finishing second for the team lead in points and goals.

On 11.9.2013, Kadri signed a new two-year contract with the Maple Leafs. In 2013-14 season, Kadri made 50 (20+30) points in 78 games. He also started to show his hot-blooded side as he got three-game suspension after delivered an elbow to the head of Minnesota Wild goalie Nicklas Bäckström. In 2014-15 season Kadri was suspended twice – first one was internal, as he was showing up late to a team practice (3 games). Second one was received from NHL, as he illegally checking Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Fraser in head (4 games). In 2015-16 season, Kadri was again suspended, this time after he delivered a cross-check to the head of Detroit Red Wings center Luke Glendening (4 games). On 13.4.2016,

Kadri signed a new six-year contract with the Maple Leafs. in 2016-17 season, Kadri made his new record at regular season points, scoring 61 (32+29) points in 82 games. In 2017-18 season, Kadri made 55 (32+23) regular season points in 80 games. In playoffs, Kadri was again suspended, this time for a hitting Boston Bruins forward Tommy Wingels in Game 1 (3 games). In 2018-19 season Kadri made 44 (16+28) regular season points, but again he was suspended for the remainder of the first round of the playoffs, after cross-checking Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk in Game 2. On 1.7.2019, Kadri was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. In 2019-20 season, Kadri made 36 (19+17) points in regular season with the Avalanche. In 2019-20 playoffs, Kadri was good – he made 18 (9+9) points in 15 games.

International Play

Nazem Kadri played with Team Canada in the IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships 2010. Canada lost the gold medal game against the Team USA and won silver medals.