As the 2026 NHL trade deadline creeps closer, Nazem Kadri’s name is starting to resurface in the Central Division rumor mill-and not for the first time. The 35-year-old center, currently with the Calgary Flames, has reportedly drawn interest from multiple teams in the division, including the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild.
Let’s start with the Avalanche, who are no strangers to Kadri. He was a key piece in their 2022 Stanley Cup run, bringing grit, scoring, and a playoff edge that meshed perfectly with Colorado’s high-octane style.
But a reunion? That’s where things get tricky.
Cap Space and Center Depth: A Tight Squeeze in Colorado
The Avs’ center depth behind Nathan MacKinnon could use a boost, no doubt. But when you look at the current roster construction and salary cap implications, the fit becomes less clear.
Brock Nelson is carrying a $7.5 million cap hit, Jack Drury sits at $1.725 million, and Zakhar Bardakov rounds out the group at $867,500. Kadri’s $7 million price tag-locked in for four more seasons-would be a significant addition, especially for a player in his mid-30s.
Kadri’s production this season isn’t bad on paper: nine goals and 25 assists through 54 games. But for a player expected to slot into a second-line role, nine goals at this point in the season raises eyebrows. That total would have him tied with defenseman Brent Burns on the Avalanche roster-a solid blueliner, but not someone you expect to be keeping pace with your top-six forwards in goal scoring.
Burns currently ranks seventh on the team in goals and second among defensemen, which is impressive considering Devon Toews has missed time with injury and Cale Makar continues to lead the charge from the back end. But the point stands-Kadri’s offensive output doesn’t scream “must-have,” especially at that cap number.
The Bigger Picture: Makar’s Extension Looms
Looking ahead, Colorado has another major financial decision on the horizon: Cale Makar’s next contract. He’s in the final year of his current $9 million deal, and you can bet he’s due for a raise. Locking in Kadri now would tighten the Avalanche’s cap flexibility heading into what could be a franchise-defining negotiation with their star defenseman.
That alone makes a Kadri reunion feel unlikely. Colorado’s front office, led by GM Chris MacFarland, has to think long-term here. Committing $7 million annually to a player who may be on the decline, while preparing to pay Makar what he’s worth, is a tough sell.
Central Division Rivals Circling
Still, the interest from other Central Division teams makes this situation worth watching. The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are both reportedly in the mix, and if either team decides to pull the trigger, it could shift the balance of power in the division.
Kadri brings playoff experience, a physical edge, and the ability to drive play when he’s on his game. If he finds the right fit, he could still be a difference-maker.
That’s the gamble, though. Is this season’s dip in goal scoring a sign of things to come, or just a blip? Every veteran goes through stretches like this, but when you’re in your mid-30s and carrying a hefty contract, the margin for error shrinks fast.
A Familiar Face, but a Different Team
There’s also the storyline of Kadri potentially reuniting with former Avalanche teammate Mikko Rantanen-though not in Colorado. The two built strong chemistry during their time together, and a team like Dallas could see value in rekindling that connection. But chemistry alone doesn’t justify a $7 million cap hit if the production doesn’t follow.
For Avalanche fans, the best-case scenario might be this: Kadri lands elsewhere in the Central, but doesn’t quite return to form. That’s not a knock on the player-just the reality of the cap era, where every dollar counts and every move has ripple effects.
If Kadri thrives with a rival, it stings. But if he struggles, Colorado looks smart for staying out of the bidding war.
Bottom Line
The Avalanche have already made significant financial commitments, including the recent extension for Brock Nelson. That move alone likely takes them out of serious contention for Kadri, unless something unexpected changes. The fit just isn’t there anymore-not with the current cap structure and not with Makar’s extension looming.
Kadri may still have something left in the tank, and he could help a team looking for a veteran center with playoff chops. But for Colorado, the timing, the dollars, and the direction of the roster all suggest the reunion tour isn’t in the cards.