Nazem Kadri Stanley Cup champion, who scored 87 points in 71 games for the Stanley Cup last season. Colorado Avalanche. He had never scored more than 61 points during a season before and turns 32 in October. He is looking for a large payday on a new deal.
All of these factors make Kadri a top-tier NHL center free agent. Unfortunately, Kadri has not yet found a home. There has been much speculation about teams looking to free up space below the salary cap for the talented scorer. But nothing has yet materialized.
Darren Ferris, Kadri’s agent, said he couldn’t comment on the status of his player contract negotiations at this point.
What could Kadri be? What makes sense to you? Based on what we know and what has been speculated, here are some possible solutions:
Cap space: $11,185,000.037
One of the most common jokes in hockey circles is that Lou Lamoriello, Islanders GM, keeps everything so tightly guarded that Kadri may have signed with them when free agency opened. This will be revealed only after he has sailed out in an orange and blue jersey at training camp.
Lamoriello is a good example of this, as well as his affinity for Kadri. He was GM of The Toronto Maple LeafsLamoriello gave Kadri a 6-year, $27 Million contract. This was just after the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup.
Lamoriello stated in 2016 that Naz proved that he could be used in any role. He found himself in the shutdown role and found himself offensively playing on the power play. He is a great person. He will accept any role that is offered to him.”
Is he available to play a part in the Islanders’ future? It depends on which of their centers accepts the role. Kadri excels as a center. The top three pivots for the Islanders are Mathew Barzal Who is one year away from restricted agency? Brock Nelson And Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Pageau should not be moved from the middle of their third line. This leaves Nelson and Barzal at the risk of being moved to Kadri’s wing. The move of Nelson to the wing is a little more sensible, considering that he was a much better finisher than Barzal and scored 37 goals last season. There is also the argument that Barzal could be placed on the wing to allow him more space to create and to minimize his defensive shortcomings.
The Islanders are a winnow team. They already have nine players who are over 30, so why not add one player who will be 32 in October. Kadri would help to boost this roster and bring some excitement to a brand new building that is in dire need of it after seeing other teams in the same division fill up with talent.
Cap space: $2,210834,
Kadri was the talk of the town at the NHL draft. There were two reasons for this. First, Seattle was a team with ample cap space who needed to make an impact in the second year after a disappointing inaugural season. Kadri would allow the team to have its young centers — Matty Beniers Shane Wright, and Kadri, who took the top-line central spot.
That was in 1994. Now the Kraken have just more than $2 million in cap space available after adding Andre Burakovsky As a free agent or trader, you can earn $5.5 million a year Oliver Bjorkstrand ($5.4 Million AAV) following the Columbus Blue Jackets Both signed Johnny Gaudreau And Patrik Laine. Both of them play on the wings, where Kraken are very loaded. They’ll also have Wright and Beniers at the center. Yanni Gourde, Alexander Wennberg, Morgan Geekie And possibly Jared McCann.
Although the Kraken could always adjust their salary cap conditions — the Kraken would be well advised to move one to two of their Year 1 forwards during this offseason — the lineup doesn’t really point to Kadri as a necessity. Now, free agent defenseman John Klingberg However,…
Cap space: $9.3million
If there’s one thing we learned from the last week, it was that the Flames are still all in with this roster.
Calgary was forced into a trade after Gaudreau left for the Blue Jackets. Matthew Tkachuk He made it clear that he didn’t intend to sign there for the long-term. The return The following are the Florida Panthers This was Jonathan Huberdeau And MacKenzie Weegar. Even if they are free agents next summer, the Flames added a MVP-level winger (Huberdeau), as well as a borderline elite defenseman (“Weegar”) to their Pacific Division-winning roster. They also have a Jack Adams-winning coach (Darryl Sutter), who is too good to let Calgary tank.
They could also use Kadri. Absolutely. After Elias Lindholm And Mikael BacklundThey are not very strong at the center position. Kadri would immediately boost that team. He wouldn’t mind receiving passes from Huberdeau, too, for a season.
The problem is the money. This $9.3million cap space is deceptive. Restricted agent Andrew Mangiapane Needs a new contract following a 35 goal season. Arbitration is planned. RFA Fellow Oliver Kylington He played 74 games and was an overall plus-34. While he will not receive the same kind of reward as Mangiapane does, it will reduce that cap space.
The on-ice fit is evident, down to the fact Kadri could fill in the Tkachuk’s agitation role. It would simply be a matter money and Kadri’s desire to join an team that might have a one-year window of winning.
Cap space: $4.758,333
If Kadri waits for a team to make space for him, then the Bruins must be kept on the radar. He’s a potential center and a player. Perfect Fit as a pain in your posterior
Patrice BergeronHis return to team would make him the No. 1 spot in the center. 1 center spot. David Krejci The club is about to welcome him back, one year after he quit to play in the Czech Extraliga. There’s also Charlie Coyle And Pavel Zacha There are also players in the middle Jack Studnicka Looking for ice-time.
It would be difficult to find Kadri space if Krejci comes back as expected. Even worse, it would be difficult to find money for either one of them if Krejci returns as expected. Nick Foligno ($3.8 million AAV) for an additional season
Kadri has a snarling and swagger that is not present in the Bruins. Brad Marchand. Boston could use Kadri’s game as a No. 2 center.
Kadri is, however, the only person in the room who has any history with the Bruins. Kadri was with the Maple Leafs when he boarded forward. He was suspended for three games. Tommy Wingels during the 2018 playoffs. Then, it was re-run with a four-game suspension to cross-check Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk The 2019 playoffs.
This history makes speculation about Kadri or the Bruins intriguing and fascinating, depending on the fan reaction. He’s not. a different person and player He was more than he was during that run.
Cap space: $10.890,119
Based on the evidence we’ve seen in Ottawa this offseason we can assume that it would be in Kadri. It can be cap flexible. It is one the Eastern Conference teams trying to get a quick level-up with veteran acquisitions.Claude Giroux, Alex DeBrincat) joining their collection of younger talent.
Kadri may be a good choice, but it might make more sense for you to keep young. Tim Stutzle Place yourself in the middle, and use the available cap space to upgrade your defense.
Cap space: $10.296,111
How does Kadri fit in the Yzer Plan? Detroit GM Steve Yzerman Signed some deals in the offseason to make some cash. David Perron ($4.75 million AAV). Andrew Copp ($5.625 Million AAV) Ben Chiarot ($4.75 million), Dominik Kubalik ($2.5 Million AAV) Olli Maatta Free agency and trading for goalies: ($2.25 million AAV). Ville Husso. That’s a complete starting lineup!
Red Wings still have the ability to bring in Kadri this season and have several players on their cap in 2023-24. Kadri makes sense if they don’t have too many long-term commitments. Kadri fits in behind Dylan Larkin The No. 2 center. Copp could step in to fill this role, shift to the wings or go down to No. His versatility made him a popular trade deadline choice last season.
Perron adds a ring of elegance to the Red Wings dressing rooms. Kadri would agree. It’s crucial for a young team to learn how to win. Kadri must also consider this: Detroit may be trying to turn the corner but is it close enough for Kadri to contend?
Cap space: $3.91million
Can Nazem Kadri go home again? Better question: Is the Avalanche planning to convert his bedroom into a storage space or yoga studio?
After the free agency period opened, Chris MacFarland, Avalanche’s newly promoted GM, said that “We’ve requested Naz’s Agent to keep us in touch on it.” “Obviously, he is a high-priority, and deservedly so. [Plays in the] Mitten of the ice. “That’s all I have to say.
Avalanche’s top priority is to make sure their cap is in place for next season so that they can take care of business. Nathan MacKinnon His huge extension was before he could be granted unrestricted agency. They walked Kadri to unrestricted free agency because he didn’t fit in that financial planning. Center J.T. Compher Could slide up to the second level until promising 21-year old Alex Newhook We are ready to secure that.
If Kadri could be brought back on a contract that was both reasonable and in line with the cap — which would not necessitate trading a player it does not want to jettison — why not bring it back with the lineup that led Colorado to winning the Stanley Cup
Kadri might be able to make room by moving Compher ($3.5million) one-year before the unrestricted freedom of agency. The Cup was won by the Avalanche without Compher ($3.5 million). Sam Girard Colorado is not keen to trade a 24-year old defenseman with a high cap ($5 million AAV) through 2026/27.
Kadri would be hard-pressed to believe that he would take a discount for his hometown with the Avalanche. He has the opportunity to make a big splash with this contract. He could also play for the champions if he is looking to be a contender.
“It’s hard to describe being in a position where I can succeed with my team… it is difficult to explain. After the Stanley Cup win, Kadri stated that you have worked your entire life for this.
What is that feeling worth?