REPORT: Nazem Kadri turned down a LOT more money from another team in free agency

Kadri, meanwhile, is believed to have turned down a six-year offer from another club worth $8.5 million AAV pretty early in free agency. The fit obviously wasn't right for him.

I also think given Kadri's relationship with his old GM in Toronto, Lou Lamoriello, that some of the wait- and-see approach was seeing if the Islanders would be able to move cap space and make Kadri a contract offer. There was definitely interest in Kadri from the Islanders.

Ferris, when contacted this week, would not disclose what other teams were in on Kadri, beyond saying it came down to three clubs before his client chose the Flames. Once Treliving realized he had a real shot at Kadri, he dug in hard.