They did it.
The Avalanche acquired 2022 Stanley Cup Champion Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames, striking the deal right before the trade deadline.
In exchange for Kadri, Colorado gave up forward Victor Olofsson, prospect Max Curran, a conditional 2028 first-round pick, and a conditional 2027 second-round pick. The Avs also receive a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Calgary is also retaining 20% of Kadri’s deal, which means Colorado gets him for $5.6 million until the end of the 2029 season.
The Avs were reportedly close to acquiring Kadri earlier in the week before pivoting to Nic Roy. According to multiple reports, the teams had a deal in place, but ownership would not sign off on the retention. Colorado ended up using its 2027 first-round draft pick to acquire Roy. Something changed in the 24 hours that followed.
Kadri, 35, is an Avalanche fan favorite. After trading for him in July 2019, the Avs won the Stanley Cup with Kadri as their second-line center in 2022. Kadri, who had a career-high 87 points in the regular season, scored the game-winning goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final with a broken thumb to give the Avalanche a 3-1 series lead.
He finished the postseason that year with seven goals, eight assists, and 15 points in 16 games and earned one Conn Smythe Trophy vote.
“Super excited. The team at the very top of my list. Man, I can’t wait,” Kadri told TSN following the trade announcement.
That summer, Kadri waited for 35 days before signing with the Flames. He wanted to return to the Avs but the salary cap would not allow it. He ended up signing for seven years, $49 million with Calgary.
Kadri has not played in the postseason since winning the Stanley Cup.
