While they wait on Nazem Kadri, the Colorado Avalanche still have plenty of options to consider at the center position.
The free agent market has been excellent for forwards looking for a payday. There are still a few big names left on the market. Colorado Avalanche free agent Nazem Kadri is still chief among them. After a career-high, 87-point season, and 15 points in 16 playoff games, Kadri is expected to get a hefty deal. Teams like the Islanders, Flames, and Devils have all been linked to him.
The Avalanche are still a heavy front-runner though. Kadri has made it clear that he wants to play for a contender. The Flames still have cap room to use after the Matthew Tkachuk trade, and Kadri would fit nicely in Calgary. The Islanders still desire a top-flight center and New Jersey wants to add to their young core. Colorado might not have the best pitch for Kadri to re-sign, but there are plenty of options they can look into.
1. Cheap veteran free agent Centers for the Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche currently have $3.9 million left in cap space. They could make a move to free up cap room, but there isn’t a ton to play with. So the Avs could take the easy option of a cheap veteran player.
One thing the Avalanche have is the championship pedigree. When a team offers that, veterans will sign cheap in an effort to win a Stanley Cup. Colorado is a very attractive destination for those seeking a ring. Players like Paul Stastny immediately come to mind.
Avs fans might be a little iffy on a reunion with Stastny, but the veteran forward can still bring value. This past season he put up 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points. Not too bad for a player on the brink of 37 years old. He won’t have the same scoring touch as Kadri, but he’ll be effective.
2. Colorado Avalanche in-house options
Another option for Colorado is keeping things in-house. It’s not like the Avalanche don’t have forwards that can fill the role. The likely option here would be Alex Newhook. He’s made a name for himself. As a 2019 first round pick, Newhook has shown the growth the Avalanche wanted to see. While he didn’t play much in the playoffs, he still has plenty of time to come into his own.
It’s likely that he would become the second line center if Kadri walks. It’s the best option at the time. Alex Newhook seems ready to take on a larger role in the offense. And it might be time for the Avs to let it happen.
3. Make a trade
The final option for the Avalanche is to make a trade. It’s by far the riskiest route to take. The Avalanche might have to move off a player like JT Compher or Samuel Girard to make it happen. Girard would be a huge gamble to trade. Colorado’s defensive core is one of the best in hockey.
Trading Girard would put quite a dent in that unit. To make it count, the Avalanche would need to acquire a player who would make an immediate impact. This is the least likely approach Colorado will take, but don’t rule anything out yet.
The Colorado Avalanche still have plenty of time to solidify who will fill that second line center spot. Nazem Kadri is taking his time to choose. But the Avs shouldn’t wait. They’ve proven they can do more with less. The core is still intact, and Colorado’s farm is rich with prospects. Kadri is a good player, but he won’t make or break this team’s chances to repeat.