Nazem Kadri has recorded the most points this season of any during his 13-year NHL career.
The Avalanche center is just getting started. Kadri had 36 games left to expand on his team-leading 62 points (20 goals) entering Tuesday night.
“Obviously, itap in the back of your mind,” Kadri said following a 4-0 win Sunday at the Dallas Stars. “But itap not something I focus on too much. I just feel like I’m a zone right now. The best way to continue that is to stay focused on not get too far ahead of yourself. … I’ve got great things to say about this team and the players I’m playing with. Itap been a fun year so far.”
Itap a remarkable feat when you consider Kadri’s path to becoming a first-time All-Star.
He entered the league at age 19 with the Maple Leafs and spent the next 10 years in Toronto. Kadri played in 650-plus career NHL games entering this season, his third in Colorado, and has since shattered his previous NHL benchmarks for production. Kadri finished the 2016-17 season with 61 points for the Maple Leafs when he averaged 16:35 of ice-time per night. The 31-year-old forward is now on pace to crack 100 points while playing over 19 minutes per game with the Avs.
“Itap commitment, right? Thatap what it is,” coach Jared Bednar said. “He’s had a couple of pretty good years for us here. He’s been a valuable part of our team. But this year he’s just taken it to a whole new level. … He wants more to do. We’re trying to give him that and make him more of a part of our team. Because he’s doing a great job at it.”
Kadri has also taken strides to revamp his reputation in the league.
Once regarded as a player who lacked self-control, Kadri has become a respected veteran with the Avs. It seems that three NHL postseason suspensions over four years have not impacted his ability to nurture a young talent-laden forward group this season. Bednar said Kadri has “taken on a bigger leadership role for us this year even though he’s not wearing a letter.”
When Kadri speaks, teammates listen.
“Naz is such a calm presence. He’s always ready,” defenseman Cale Makar said. “You could throw him on the ice at any point during the (game) and he’s going to be the same player. He’s just one of those guys that always has it in him. He’s so good at finding those areas, whether itap getting open for a pass or making himself available to give a pass. He’s such a vital player for us. He’s been so good this year.”
Footnotes. Pavel Francouz earned the start in net Tuesday with Colorado playing the Stars away-and-home over three nights. Francouz is 7-1-0 this season with a .927 save percentage. … The Avs entered Tuesday’s game riding a franchise-record points streak (19 games) and have not lost in regulation since Dec. 16 (5-2 at the Nashville Predators).
