Report: One Major Obstacle Standing In The Way of a Kadri Return to Colorado

It seems like a natural fit, doesn't it? With Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri now firmly out there and gettable on the trade market, many people have a reunion back with the Colorado Avalanche on their bingo cards.

But according to insider Elliotte Friedman, speaking on the NHL on TNT, he sees a major obstacle in the way of that happening. And that 'obstacle' is called Cale Makar. The game's best defenseman has only one year remaining on his deal with the Avs, and he's eligible for an extension on July 1st. With a potential AAV upwards of $18 million a season or so, the front office must keep that in mind at all times.

Everything that Colorado does is about that Makar number. Everything that they do... Whenever it comes to (potentially taking on) a player with term, and whenever I've asked around as to what they're up to, it's always about protecting themselves for Makar's number.

In other words, having enough cap space to make sure they can fit that $18M or whatever it is for their superstar defenseman under their cap, is paramount for the Avs.

And that makes Kadri's $7 million AAV for another three years a big issue for them, says Friedman.

I've heard that Calgary is not crazy about retaining on Kadri. So unless Colorado is going to be able to find a way to make that work, or have (Kadri's) number not be as high, I think it's gonna be really tough.

So unless they can find a third team to help broker a deal by retaining some of Kadri's cap hit, or they can convince Calgary to do it, it's going to be difficult for the Avalanche to make this work.

"I would love to see Kadri back in Colorado if he's not in Calgary, I think it would be fantastic," added Friedman. "But the one thing the Avalanche have been consistent about is, we're not jeopardizing our flexibility with signing Makar."

Not everyone agrees, however. Friedman added on Monday on his podcast, that "someone texted me after...and said I'll bet you he ends up there." So, he's willing to be wrong on this.

Kadri set a career high in his last season with the Avalanche in 2021-22, with 87 points along with a +13 rating, while helping lead the team to a Stanley Cup victory with another 15 points in 16 playoff games.

Now 35, he's having a down season, at least offensively, in Calgary this year, with just 12 goals and 41 points in 59 games. Kadri has admitted he'd love to play for a Cup contender again.