CALGARY – As Flames fans wallowed in the sadness and frustration of losing their two biggest stars this summer, even casual observers from around the league had that moment where they realized an even greater loss for the game.
After Matthew Tkachuk single-handedly resurrected the Battle of Alberta with the help of unwitting accomplice Zack Kassian several years back, many wondered what might become of the provincial punchup without one of the game’s most antagonizing personalities.
Even though the acquisition of Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar erased concerns the battle would disappear due to a Flames rebuild, it wasn’t until Nazem Kadri was signed almost a month later that there was once again a personality in place who could stir things up with the best of 'em.
You could almost hear the hockey gods singing.
With Evander Kane re-upping with the Oilers on free agency day, the battle once again has two combustible counterparts in place to fan the flames.
What’s more, they have history.
The last time Kadri played at Rogers Place was this spring when the Avalanche spark plug left barely a minute into Game 3 of the Western Conference Final after being cross-checked heavily into the boards by Kane.
Kane was handed a five-minute boarding major and was suspended for the fourth time by the league, which ruled a one-game sit-down was warranted by virtue of the “dangerous hit, with speed, that came while the victim was a dangerous distance from the boards.”
Kadri’s night was done, as the awkward impact left him with a thumb injury that required surgery. The play seemed destined to end Kadri’s point-a-game post-season, until he returned for Game 4 of the Cup final against Tampa, scoring the overtime winner.
Kadri had never publicly commented on the hit by Kane until asked about it by Sportsnet.ca Friday.
“It was pretty self-explanatory if you watch it, right?” said the defending Stanley Cup champ on the eve of his return to Edmonton for his first all-Alberta matchup.
“I think there’s only one way to think about that.
“It is what it is.
“Obviously it sucked missing some time and just having to fight through a lot of pain when I came back.”
Kadri said he didn’t think the hit was a result of a previous history between the two.
“No, just two competitive guys that want to win,” said Kadri, who long played in opposite conferences than Kane.
“We play hard and we play with our hearts on our sleeves, and I expect this to be no different.”
Expectations.
The battle comes with so many of them, which should only serve to be heightened by two feisty competitors who aren’t strangers to controversy.
Kane’s issues have revolved around off-ice turbulence, while Kadri’s have been in plain sight, eventually leading to the Leafs trading him following a pair of post-season transgressions garnering suspensions that hindered Toronto’s plans to escape first-round purgatory.
In 2019 Kadri crossed the line with a cross check to Jake DeBrusk’s head that earned him a suspension for the rest of the playoffs.
The previous playoffs he was suspended three games for a run at Tommy Wingels.
In 2021 a high hit on Justin Faulk netted him an eight-game suspension, the sixth of his career.
Listen, when you play a game as physically and emotionally as Kadri and Kane do, you’re bound to cross the line from time to time.
It’s an occupational hazard for lads like these, who combined to sign for $69 million this summer, setting the stage for two adversaries sure to be seen as villains by the opposition and their respective fan base.
So perfect are these guys suited to be poster boys for the rivalry, they both wear No. 91, which just so happened to be the last playoff edition of the Battle of Alberta before last spring’s highly-anticipated return, won in five by the Oilers.
“Oh ya?” beamed Kadri, who admitted he slept with his Stanley Cup ring by his side after receiving it after Thursday night’s season-opening win over Colorado.
“It’s a nice number - there’s some extra style points for that one.”
Kadri’s addition to the Flames prompted Connor McDavid to say this to Elliotte Friedman during a pre-season podcast.
“Would’ve liked to see him go other places, but he picked Calgary and that’s something that we’ll deal with,” said McDavid, who can expect a steady diet of Kadri over the next half dozen years or so.
“I like the big moments and I’ve never shied away from that in my career,” said Kadri.
“I’ve always tried to embrace it, and enjoy it, and that’s what’s going to happen Saturday night.
Obviously it’s my first crack at it in the regular season and I’m excited.
“But at the end of the day, despite the hype around all of it, it’s two great teams and that’s how we see it.
“We don’t put the spotlight on one or two players.
“What matters most is coming out with a win.”
Yes, the competitive nature of today’s battles is what makes them so juicy.
We don’t need goalie fights, turtle accusations or line brawls to keep it entertaining, although Kadri said he fondly remembers seeing Tkachuk and Kassian do their dance.
“From the outside looking in it’s fun to see,” he said.
“It gives you a bit of a storyline to kind of run with a little bit.”
A storyline he’s sure to contribute to.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.