Nazem Kadri will be a major difference-maker for the Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche made the biggest splash of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames just before the 3:00 PM ET deadline.
Kadri was considered to be one of the top players on the market. The 35-year-old forward has 12 goals and 41 points in 60 games, putting him on track for 56 points over the full 82-game season. Kadri has surpassed the 50-point threshold seven times in his career, including in each of the past four campaigns.
And now, he’s back in Colorado. He’d have a breakout season in 2021-22 with the club, registering 89 points en route to a Stanley Cup championship. Kadri would go on to sign a long-term deal in Calgary later that offseason – but now, he’s back.
The Avalanche currently sit first place in the NHL. Now, with Kadri down the middle, they’re ready to take the fight to the best in the west heading into the playoffs.
Daily Faceoff host Jeff Marek and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed the deal during DFO’s trade deadline special on Friday:
Carter Hutton: “They got their dog back. And this is a scary, scary team. Kadri is a guy who can carry the mail. He’s going to be ready to go. And a guy that’s getting longer than the tooth, he’s going to want to win again. I think he’s going to be an absolute dog for them.”
Jeff Marek: “We all know the Avalanche haven’t won a series since Nazem Kadri left to go to the Calgary Flames. This is still an elite and top team in the NHL, with standout players at every single position. To me, the only thing that’s standing in the way of the Colorado Avalanche and the Stanley Cup, with all due respect to Minnesota and to Dallas, is health. With the addition of Nazem Kazdri and you believing that you’re winning down the middle, this team looks lights out.”
The Colorado Avalanche make an absolute SWING after the Deadline, acquiring Nazem Kadri at the buzzer! #NHL #Flames #Avalanche #TradeDeadline