Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri had a message for his supporters and his critics after winning the Stanley Cup on Sunday night.
“I’ve had supporters in my corner from Day 1, they've never wavered. For everyone that thought I was a liability in the playoffs, you can kiss my ass," Kadri said on the ice after the Avalanche beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the Final.
Kadri's has experienced a whirlwind of emotions during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
During the second round against the St. Louis Blues, the Avalanche and police investigated threats sent to Kadri after one game. Enhanced security were assigned to Kadri for the following game.
In the third round, Kadri suffered a broken thumb in Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite saying post-game that he had multiple breaks in his thumb and turned a six-week recovery into two, Kadri returned for Game 4 of the Cup Final and scored the overtime winner.
“It’s such a roller-coaster ride in terms of emotions," Kadri said. "Obviously, I break my hand and think I’m done. I came back and I couldn’t even tie my own skates. Shout out to the trainer tying my skates before every game. I don’t care, whatever it took I was going to be out there one way or another."
All this came after Kadri was suspended eight games in last year's playoffs for a check to the head of Blues defenceman Justin Faulk.
“It still feels like a dream, really," Kadri said. "It feels even better than I thought it would. It’s an incredible moment, the fashion we did it, the adversity we faced. It’s picture perfect, it’s incredible."
Kadri finished with seven goals and eight assists in 16 playoff games this year.
