The Drama Is Over, Nazem Kadri is Headed to Calgary

The watching, waiting, and commiserating can finally come to an end. All reports indicate that Nazem Kadri is headed to the Calgary Flames. Elliot Friedman appeared to tweet the news first, followed by a confirmation from Kevin Weeks and Darren Dreger.

With the most coveted free agent coming off of the market for a massive deal, it becomes apparent that the price tag (Calgary’s speculated offer lies at $7 million for 7 years) was just too high for the Colorado Avalanche. So it raises the question, what do the Avalanche do now to fill the 2C role? Some of Avs Faithful have held out hope for a sweet reunion with Paul Statsny. While it would be fun for nostalgic purposes, I don’t really see the Avs going after an aging center that just came off a $3.75 million contract.

The move I hope they make (and have been advocating for since the start of free agency) is signing Evan Rodrigues. He can skate fast, play center or right wing, and would slot in nicely on the second line, but the best part is general manager Chris MacFarland can get him for cheap.

Rodrigues is coming off a $1 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Given the $3.9 million the Avs have in cap space, this would be a great value add for a hole we still need to fill if Alex Newhook or JT Compher don’t rise to the occasion.

It also gives the team space for depth roles, or even adding a guy like Sonny Milano. While they wouldn’t completely replace Nazem Kadri, it would give the team some great options to make another Cup run.

For now, I say THANK YOU, Naz, for everything you gave the Colorado Avalanche, and for giving us one of the best moments of a Stanley Cup Final that I’ve ever witnessed.