REPORT: Nazem Kadri has apparently signed with an Eastern Conference team

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Ryan
July 31, 2022 (6:42 PM)

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In a contract season, Nazem Kadri could not have asked for a better year. He set career high in points and was on pace for well over 100 points if it were not for injury. To cap off a career year in points, Kadri now has a stanley cup on his resume as well.

When Free Agency started on July 13th, Kadri was ranked as the second best player available, and to much surprise as of this morning Kadri was still yet without a contract. While many believed he would take a team friendly discount and stay with the Colorado Avalanche for a chance to take another run at a cup, that apparently is not the case.

According to Mark Seidel, a former NHL Scout, Kadri has agreed to terms with a team in the Eastern Conference.

Just got off the phone with a guy that knows & I think that Nazem Kadri is done to @NYIslanders They have to clear out some cap room & then it'll be announced. I'm FAR from an Insider but I'm very confident that it's done. Great signing by NYI & Nazem Kadri deserves every penny.

Just got off the phone with a guy that knows & I think that Nazem Kadri is done to @NYIslanders They have to clear out some cap room & then it'll be announced. I'm FAR from an Insider but I'm very confident that it's done. Great signing by NYI & Nazem Kadri deserves every penny.� North American Central Scouting Independent Bureau (@MarkSeidel) July 31, 2022

While this is definitely a Lou Lamoreillo style deal, like we saw how he waited until almost the start of the season to officially sign Parise last year. The Islanders missed the playoffs last season, mainly due to COVID and ended up firing head coach Barry Trotz. This lineup is already ageing and adding Kadri does not help that case.

If this move does not work out, it could be the end of Lamoreillo as GM, but nonetheless, adding Kadri is definitely an improvement at center.