Ex-Calgary Flames forward Kadri may not make his return to the Saddledome next week

Nazem Kadri’s return to the Saddledome may not come until the 2026-27 season.

Kadri, who was dealt by the Calgary Flames to the Colorado Avalanche on trade deadline day, was set to return to the Saddledome in just under a week on Tuesday, April 14. Whether he’ll be in the lineup for that game, however, remains to be seen.

After blocking a few shots in the second period, the Avalanche announced that Kadri would not return to Tuesday night’s game versus the St. Louis Blues with what was deemed an upper-body injury.

Here is Nazem Kadri’s last shift. Shot appears to hit him in the hand and you can see him checking on it. Did it a few more times before his shift ended. pic.twitter.com/nd1FGqpYSu

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) April 8, 2026

“No update,” head coach Jared Bednar said postgame. “Give me a day or two, and we should know more. [We’ll] sort of figure out what his pain tolerance is. I’m sure it’s something that he may or may not be able to play through, but we’ll just take it day by day and see how it goes.”

When speaking with Denver’s Altitude Sports Radio on Wednesday morning, Bednar confirmed that the injury is to Kadri’s finger. And, while he made it clear that the 35-year-old isn’t in jeopardy of missing the playoffs, he’s expected to miss at least a few games.

On @AltitudeSR, Bednar says Kadri's injury is to his finger but no real update beyond that, will know more later today. Said he thinks hat he'll miss a few games and they'll see how or what they need to do for him to play from there. Doesn't think playoffs in jeopardy.

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) April 8, 2026

That would suggest that Kadri will be out of the lineup on Thursday night in a game where the Avalanche are set to play host to the Flames. It could also potentially keep him out of the lineup next Tuesday, meaning that a proper tribute at the Saddledome may have to wait until the 2026-27 season.

Kadri has already faced his former Flames teammates since the trade, scoring two goals in a lopsided 9-2 Avalanche victory back on March 30.

In 16 games since the trade, Kadri has four goals and nine points. As for the Avalanche, they continue to sit atop the NHL standings and should be in for a lengthy playoff run if they can remain healthy.

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