Flames Nazim Qadri in familiar spotlight ahead of showdown in Toronto

TORONTO — With his team’s season on the fast track, trade speculation, and a milestone in sight, manager Nazeem Kadri will return to Toronto on Tuesday in the eyes of the Storm.

Long the focal point of any comeback story at Scotiabank Arena, the man he grew up in, the man who spent a decade as a lightning rod for the struggling Lefties is oblivious to the media mob that will surround him after the Flames’ morning skate.

Only a fool would think the 35-year-old would offer anything to contribute to the notion that he might want to get off the Flames’ roster spot for a season, or that he’s expecting to surpass his 1,000th hit any time soon.^th A celebration of the game.

He is too clever to add fuel to the fire.

“I don’t think there’s anything, from a media PR standpoint, that I haven’t seen,” quips the native of nearby London, Ont., who has spent much of his career under the intense glare of the media spotlight he’s long handled.

“I’ve been in tougher situations than anything like that. So for me, it’s not really something that draws my attention. Obviously, there’s going to be some questions about it. I’m fine with answering them, but at the end of the day I’m focused on winning hockey games.”

Asked in a one-on-one chat how he would answer questions about his future, he breaks into a mischievous smile.

“I’d say I’m focused on winning hockey,” Kadri smiled, eyes wide.

“That’s all I care about.”

Qadri has long kept people guessing as to how long he would be willing to remain a flame.

After all, he certainly didn’t sign up for a rebuild three years ago when Brad Trilling signed him to a seven-year deal via free agency.

But after leaving some core veterans, Kadri has taken great pride in taking several rookies under his wing as a mentor, who scored a career-high 35 goals at the same time last year.

He’s a leader and first-line center in Calgary, where he’s a valuable commodity as much as the Flames have, whether he’s in the lineup or as a valuable trade chip to move the club away from the hybrid team in a down-and-out approach that could get the team off to a terrible start.

Kadri played a key role in the team’s first win in nine outings Sunday, but at 2-7-1, the last-place Flames may soon have to face the reality that their focus should be more on getting lottery tickets than chasing the final playoff spot for the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes.

If so, almost every contender in the league would love to add him to their lineup.

However, as long as the Flames believe they still have a chance at a playoff spot, he’s too valuable to trade, which means he’s a lock to stay with the club until his 1,000th.^th NHL game at home against Columbus Nov. 5.

“Unbelievable, man, it’s honestly hard to believe,” Kadri said of his milestone.

“It’s a surreal moment. It’s a moment of reflection that you can think of all the people that have helped you get to that point. It’s definitely not an easy accomplishment, and to be able to do it with this team, and these people in this organization is special to me.”

Kadri’s journey to 1,000 games has been anything but smooth.

Drafted seventh overall by the Leafs in 2009, his decade in Toronto found him at the center of various controversies, including playoff suspensions in 2018 and 2019, which cost the Leafs dearly and nearly ended his career.

“These are the most difficult times of my career,” admitted Qadri.

“Music has to kind of face it, and being a human about it, being accountable about it. I feel like I did it with as much grace as I possibly could. I think, people really appreciate honesty and authenticity. It’s obviously something you learn from. And I think I gave it back very well.”

But in those moments, when Leaf Nation blamed Kadri’s missteps for the series losses, he wondered what the future held.

“You always wonder if you’re at a turning point in your career, when an organization might be looking to go in a different direction, and you wonder, ‘What’s next?'” said Qadri, who has three years left.

“But for me, I’m a pretty competitive person, and I feel that in any situation I’m thrown into, I’ll be able to figure it out. So, I was confident, but still unsure.”

With the no-trade clause in his contract gone this offseason, he may once again wonder if his time with an organization is coming to an end.

If so, he will return again, to be sure.

A trade from Toronto to Colorado in 2019 led to a Stanley Cup in 2022, and a lucrative deal with Calgary followed.

But now, with plans for the Flames, Kadri finds himself back in the spotlight of the city that raised him, and the gauntlet of media that never let him breathe.

“That’s something I’m just ready for, to play out there,” Kadri said of the anticipated attention that comes with his return home.

“I really know what to expect. I know a lot of people from the media there, so for me it doesn’t really change. It’s always good to go back home, see my family and have them come to see me play.”

The family will be in the building on Tuesday, watching the man with 995 games under his belt inches closer to a milestone even though he considered much better.

“When I dreamed of playing in the NHL, I didn’t think it would be this long,” he said. “I’m still feeling good and trying to add to it. For me, it’s a dream come true… It will definitely be a moment for me.”

After that, whatever reality he has to face, will be taken by an expert who has seen it all.