Finding the right fit for Nazem Kadri in the lineup will be key to the Colorado Avalanche’s success next season

The acquisition of Nazem Kadri at the last minute of the trade deadline last season was one of the most exciting moments of the season because it meant the return of a beloved member of the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup team in 2022. During that championship run, Kadri’s role on the team was clearly defined as their second-line center. With Brock Nelson established as the 2C last season, finding a good fit for Kadri was a puzzle that coach Jared Bednar never managed to solve.

Heading into the 2026-2027 season, finding the right role and line mates for Kadri will be essential if the Avalanche want to maintain their offensive dominance. To do so, Bednar and the coaching staff will need to answer the following questions.

Question #1 – Should Kadri play center or wing?

Over the course of his regular season and playoffs games with the Colorado Avalanche, Nazem Kadri played all over the lineup. At times, he was their third-line center while other times he played winger to either Nathan MacKinnon or Brock Nelson. If the Avs were struggling in a game, he was often the one that Bednar would move around to try and find a spark. Kadri’s mobility around the lineup was a clear indication of his lack of place and identity within this version of the Avs.

Moving forward into the season, Bednar and his coaches need to decide whether Kadri’s best fit on the Avs is at center or on the wing. If Kadri plays his natural position at center, his role will be as the play-driver of the line while facilitating their offensive attack, their defensive approach, and their transitions in between. If he plays wing, which is not as natural of a fit for him, he can leave those responsibilities to his centerman and focus on his own role, especially as it comes to creating offense.

Questions #2a – If playing center, should Kadri be 2C or 3C?

Conventional wisdom says that Kadri will play third-line center behind Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson. It would be an unconventional spot for him as he is used to being deployed in the top-6, but it would also get his role clarity and allow the coaches to focus on finding him the right combination of wingers to provide the depth scoring that the Avs need without making them a noticeable liability on defense.

If Bednar wants to rock the boat a bit, he could move Kadri up to the second-line center role. Since his hockey acumen is more geared to offense over defense, it would be natural to see him return to the spot he successfully filled during the Avs’ Cup run. Of course, doing so would likely mean demoting Nelson to the 3C position. Considering both Nelson’s defensive strengths and struggles in scoring during both of the most recent playoff runs, this move could make sense to let him dig into more of a goal-prevention role and let Kadri take the reins of offensive responsibilities.

Question #2b – If playing wing, who should be his center?

The whole point of moving Nazem Kadri to wing is, ostensibly, to give the top two lines more scoring punch. It is also an admission that he is a bit of a misfit when playing a third-line role. Of the 372 minutes that he played at 5v5 this regular season and playoffs for the Avs, 165 (44%) of them were with either MacKinnon or Nelson. While the Avs were only able to break even with him on ice as a center, they outscored their opponents 9-5 at 5v5 with Kadri on the ice as a wing.

Kadri’s productivity was about the same alongside both MacKinnon and Nelson. If Bednar decides to use him as a wing, he will need to decide where he wants to commit to playing him so that Kadri and the whole line has time to develop an identity together.

Question #3 – Who would his line mates be?

Because of his irregular usage last season, Kadri played with a bevy of line mates last season. Between the regular season and playoffs, he played over 50 minutes at 5v5 with eight other Avs forwards. It is imperative that coach Bednar provide him with consistent line mates regardless of whether he plays center or wing. Kadri needs to be able to develop chemistry with his linemates and not need to worry about ever-changing responsibilities.

The role that Kadri is given and his ability to perform within that role for the Avalanche will determine the legitimacy of the Avalanche as a true Stanley Cup contender. If he succeeds and provides the needed depth scoring, they will once again be the toast of the Western Conference. If he comes up short, then the Avs will see their Cup aspirations, once again, be snuffed out way too early.

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