NHL Rumors: Kadri eyes free agency, Coyotes will take on salary, and Predators standing pat
Anthony Scultore
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Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri is having an excellent season. The 31 year-old rugged center has 60 points in 41 games and is headed to the All-Star Game in Vegas.
How good of a season is he having? Well his next point will tie his career high mark of 61, which he needed 82 games to get to in 2016-17.
NHL Rumors: Nazem Kadri free agency
Kadri is the final year of a contract that pays $4.5 million. He was due to get an increase, but a season like this is only going to raise what teams will pay on the open market.
“He’s represented by Darren Ferris and we know that Ferris in the past has a pattern with pending UFAs which is to bring his guys to market. And that’s the plan right now between Ferris and Kadri,” Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading. “Which will keep Colorado in the fold, but I think the idea is right now let’s see what other teams have to offer and what kind of interest there is and then we’ll get back to Colorado.”
Even with that info out there, I doubt the Avalanche are likely to trade him at the deadline knowing he may walk at season’s end for nothing.
The issue is simple for a team that believes they can win the Cup this season. Trading him would leave a hole in the lineup that you’d need to replace on the rental market. So why not just keep Kadri as your “own rental” would be the prevailing thought.
Predators Forsberg likey to stay in Nashville
The Nashville Predators have been at a crossroads between going for it and rebuild for what seems like years now. They have several pending UFA’s including Filip Forsberg but it appears for now there won’t be any major moves.
“I like our team and don’t want to change too many things. We’re content where we are.” GM David Poile said of his team and Forsberg. “I don’t want to box myself in with an answer. It’s not my preference, but I’d never say never.”
The general consensus from around the league is that Nashville will do whatever it can to extend Forsberg.
Forsberg, 27, has 38 points in 33 games this season.
Coyotes ready to take your bad contracts on
The fire sale in Arizona has two major pieces that will be moved by March 21st’s NHL Trade Deadline in Phil Kessel and Jakob Chychrun.
The Coyotes are going to restock with youth and prospects and are willing to take on some bad contracts to help teams with issues. Of course, at a cost.
“The Coyotes have let it be known that they’re willing to take on contracts or money in exchange for future assets. Just as we saw them do with a few transactions over the summer,” Chris Johnston reports. “They want to know how long that contract is if they are bringing on a player… But the Coyotes are certainly eyeing a chance to be an important go-between at this deadline where so many teams are capped out.
You can see the Maple Leafs, Lightning, Golden Knights, and a host of others lining up at the Coyotes door as you read this.
