DENVER — Nazem Kadri made one thing abundantly clear in the days leading up to the trade deadline: He wasn’t waiving anything just so the Flames could cash in.

It had to be the right fit, the right situation, the right room. And if you’ve followed his career at all, you knew exactly where that pointed.

Back to Colorado. Back to the place where he became a champion. Back to the place where, by all accounts, he slid back in like he’d never left.

And on Monday night, in his first game against the Calgary Flames since they granted him that wish, he delivered in classic Kadri fashion, with two goals.

This is the guy who scored in his 1,000th game, his 900th game, his very first game as an Avalanche, and in overtime of the Stanley Cup Final.

Rising to the moment is practically his brand. 

But before scoring twice in 66 seconds to help give the Avalanche a 5–0 first‑period lead, Kadri wanted to talk about gratitude.

He wanted to talk about the Flames.

And he wanted to talk about how this trade wasn’t something done to him, but something done with him.

“It was mutual,” he said of the deadline deal that landed Calgary a first and second-round pick, and two players.

“A mutual respect, open conversation and transparency. And I think that’s when the best deals get done, when everybody’s on the same page. I wasn’t just gonna be traded just to be traded, and go anywhere. (Colorado) was an opportunity, and I got to take it.”

When the dream deal was done, he spoke with general manager Craig Conroy, president Don Maloney, and owner Murray Edwards.

“I just expressed my gratitude,” said the 35-year-old.

“It’s a weird feeling, because you don’t want to be traded. But in this specific scenario, which is very particular, it was kind of a happy ending to say the least. It’s bittersweet for me. Never want to leave a team that you’ve grown so fond of, but obviously joining a team like this, you’re excited.”

He’s been watching the Flames closely, well aware of their six-game point streak heading into Monday’s drubbing.

“Not really surprised,” he said of the recent surge he helped put an end to.

“It’s nice to see them doing so well. I’ve been keeping a close eye on them. I’m happy some guys have gotten hot. It’s exciting.”

He said he loved his former teammates, enjoyed mentoring youngsters, and cherished his leadership role.

But Monday was about the present. And the present looks awfully familiar, as he paced the league’s top team to a 9-2 win.

“I’m happy to be back,” said Kadri to the roar of the Ball Arena crowd in his bench interview as the first star of the game.

Kadri was in the starting lineup, centring Calgary‑born Logan O’Connor and Ross Colton on a third line that looked more like a second line on most teams. 

In a first period that felt like a fathers vs. sons scrimmage, the Avalanche outshot Calgary 26–8, and chased Dustin Wolf with four goals on 16 shots, including two power-play strikes by Kadri. 

He looked like a man who had been wearing burgundy all season.

“There’s some chemistry there that we’ve kind of rekindled,” he smiled.

“Our power play has certainly turned a corner and has looked a lot more dangerous.”

Three of his four goals, and six of his nine points, with Colorado have come with the man advantage. And his teammates have noticed.

Cale Makar lit up when asked about Kadri’s return.

“I love the guy,” said Makar, who had three assists before leaving with an upper-body injury that will be evaluated Tuesday.

“He fits right back in, like a glove.”

Gabriel Landeskog echoed it.

“He’s a social chameleon,” the captain said.

“He can fit in anywhere, in any situation. Same thing on the ice. You can play him up and down the lineup. It’s just kind of right back to where it was a few years ago.”

His first game back in Denver after the trade, the crowd welcomed him back with a standing ovation he’ll never forget. Monday night’s roar was similar.

“These fans have been so good to me and my family over the years,” he said.

“I feel an obligation to go out there and give it everything I got.”

His wife just arrived in town. His life is still a whirlwind. He joked he might need a second book to cover the last few weeks.

And while returning to Calgary will be “a little more difficult,” Monday night was the perfect first step.

A reminder of why he chose Colorado.

A reminder of why Colorado chose him.

And a reminder that Nazem Kadri, when the lights go up, always seems to deliver.