Nazem Kadri said goodbye to the only city he's ever played professional hockey Tuesday.The Colorado Avalanche forward, who spent his first 10 seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization before he was traded Monday, bid farewell to Toronto with a heartfelt post on Instagram.[Instagram from @43kadri: 10 years, what can I say. Words cannot describe what this city means to me. You welcomed me in as a boy and watched me grow and evolve in front of your eyes. Thank you for opening your arms up and making me feel right at home. You asked for my heart and I gave you my soul. Forever a special place in my heart. That being said, I believe my best years are in front of me and I cannot wait to join my new team. The new chapter starts now, thank you Toronto for everything you have done for me, I will never forget it](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/b196d4b22c90234fbdef4a9756792281/5DAD8181/t51.2885-15/e35/s612x612/64833942_736425930110996_3512920219612177536_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com)"10 years. What can I say," Kadri's post read. "Words cannot describe what [Toronto] means to me. You welcomed me in as a boy and watched me grow and evolve in front of your eyes. … Forever a special place in my heart."Toronto chose Kadri with No. 7 pick of the 2009 NHL Draft, and he had 357 points (161 goals, 196 assists) in 561 games with the Maple Leafs. Kadri was traded to Colorado with defenseman Calle Rosen and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft for defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward Alex Kerfoot and a sixth-round pick in the 2020 draft.Kadri closed his post with a message to Avalanche fans."I believe my best years are in front of me, and I cannot wait to join my new team," Kadri wrote. "The new chapter starts now."
