The Colorado Avalanche pulled a trade deadline shocker on Friday afternoon, bringing back the beloved Nazem Kadri at the buzzer.
The 1:00 p.m. MT deadline came and went without much news, but right after 2:00 p.m. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman broke the stunning development. The 2022 Stanley Cup champion Nazem Kadri is returning to Denver.
Nazem Kadri back to the Colorado Avalanche
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 6, 2026
On Thursday night, that possibility looked done for two reasons.
First, the Avalanche landed center Nicolas Roy in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was presumed to be their third-line center moving forward, but that’s now subject to change.
And second, a viral interview out of Canada from former NHL player Nick Kypreos implied that Flames ownership had blocked a deal for Nazem Kadri to be traded.
Clearly, Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland overcame those hurdles and got something to the finish line. When everyone thought the dream was dead, it somehow rose from the ashes.
Plus the return on Colorado’s end doesn’t seem too bad. Neither Valeri Nichushkin nor Ross Colton is headed to the Flames.
We have acquired Nazem Kadri and a 2027 fourth-round pick from the Calgary Flames in exchange for forward Victor Olofsson, the rights to unsigned draft pick Max Curran, a conditional 2028 first-round pick and a conditional 2027 second-round pick. pic.twitter.com/dGUReen2CJ
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 6, 2026
Victor Olofsson was in his first season with the franchise and had 11 goals and 14 assists, good for 25 points. Max Curran was a fifth-round selection by Colorado in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Also, the Flames will retain 20 percent of Kadri’s contract, which is big for the Avalanche. He has three years left on his contract after this season, with each being worth $7 million. That means Colorado will only be on the hook for $5.6 million per year.
And the two draft picks going out are a theme with MacFarland. He’s not worried about the future — he’s worried about now.
Nazem Kadri had some incredible moments for the Avs on their way to the Cup in 2022, including a huge hat trick in St. Louis and scoring a game-winning goal against Tampa Bay in OT in the Final.
Now, he’ll look for a second championship ring with Colorado, as the Avalanche are clearly all in.
