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Colorado Avalanche: Nazem Kadri decision might be coming this week

By Graham Tiedtke

Jun 30, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) during the Stanley Cup Championship Celebration. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) during the Stanley Cup Championship Celebration. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Avalanche and center Nazem Kadri have to decide whether or not they are still a good fit for each other.

One of the decisions the Colorado Avalanche have to make is whether or not to retain center iceman Nazem Kadri this offseason. Kadri is currently expected to hit free agency on July 13th at noon ET.

Kadri has spent the last two years with the Avalanche after beginning his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, Kadri is 31-years old and for athletes, being on the right side of 30 is when a decline is prone to happen.

Kadri recorded 29 goals and 58 assists during the 2021-2022 season. He tied a career-high with six game-winning goals.

Kadri played in 16 playoff games this postseason, scoring seven goals and eight assists. In Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kadri returned following an absence due to a broken thumb, and scored the game-winning goal.

The other centres on the team that are scheduled to hit free agency are Nico Sturm, Darren Helm, and Dylan Sikura.

One thing is for certain: players want him back. The team should want him back.

The Avalanche will have to bid with other teams in order to keep Kadri in burgundy and blue. According to Shawn Simpson of TSN, the Anaheim Ducks could be interested in Kadri.

Colorado Avalanche: What should the team do if Nazem Kadri leaves?

While all parties may have interest in Kadri being retained, they will still have to be prepared in case the 31-year old chooses to go somewhere else.

Some of the best free agent-to-be centres are a couple of years younger than Kadri, which could be important:

  • Filip Forsberg (2021-2022: 69 Games Played, 42 Goals, 42 Assists, 18.6 Shot Percentage)
  • Evgeni Malkin (2021-2022: 41 Games, 20 Goals, 22 Assists, 15.5 Shot Percentage)
  • Vincent Trocheck (2021-2022: 81 Games, 21 Goals, 30 Assists, 12.5 Shot Percentage)
  • Ryan Strome (74 Games Played, 21 Goals, 33 Assists, but 69 Penalty Minutes)

Who the Avalanche bring in to replace Kadri if he leaves will depend on what they would ask of the new arrival. While the most important part of an NHL Forward is to score goals, it’s possible that the team looks at someone who is cheaper that won’t always be in position to score, but rather help others to be in that position.

NHL Free Agency begins July 13th at Noon ET.

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