Kadri nearly dealt to the Eastern Conference in blockbuster
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Head coach Martin St. Louis nearly landed a massive veteran upgrade. The Montreal Canadiens aggressively pushed to acquire Nazem Kadri before the trade deadline.
General manager Kent Hughes kept his primary target hidden all week. He desperately wanted a legitimate top-six center to accelerate the rebuild.
The failed blockbuster attempt quickly leaked out of the front office. Montreal negotiated heavily to bring the 35-year-old forward north of the border.
Kadri still produces solid offensive output at this stage of his career. He banked 41 points through 61 games this season with the Calgary Flames.
His veteran presence would immediately stabilize the top two lines. He brings 12 goals and incredible physical pushback to the middle of the ice.
Canadiens lost out on Kadri
But the aggressive front office pursuit ultimately fell short. The Colorado Avalanche swooped in and completely hijacked the negotiation process.
General manager Chris MacFarland successfully secured the reunion. He brought his former Stanley Cup champion back to Denver for another deep playoff run.
Head coach Jared Bednar knows exactly how to deploy his returning center. They won the 2022 championship together.
The Avalanche sit right in the thick of a brutal Western Conference playoff race. Adding a proven postseason performer significantly boosts their internal confidence.
Montreal simply could not match the aggressive asking price. Hughes refuses to mortgage premium future assets for an aging veteran with a -27 rating.
The Canadiens hold an absolute war chest of draft picks over the next three summers. Management prefers to target younger talent with long-term upside.
Missing out on Kadri definitely stings the locker room right now.
Opposing teams aggressively exploit their inconsistent defensive zone coverage. A veteran two-way center would easily disrupt those dangerous passing lanes and protect the blue line.
Hughes will undoubtedly explore similar blockbuster deals this coming offseason. He officially put the entire league on notice regarding his aggressive roster reconstruction strategy.
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Elliotte Friedman reveals the NHL canceled this trade at the trade deadline
Elliotte Friedman reveals the NHL canceled this trade at the trade deadline
| POLL | ||
MARS 8|76 ANSWERS Kadri nearly dealt to the Eastern Conference in blockbuster Are you disappointed the Canadiens missed out on Nazem Kadri ? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 42.1 % |
| No | 44 | 57.9 % |
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