Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri embracing ‘tricky’ position change in 2026-27 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Colorado Avalanche traded for Nazem Kadri at the trade deadline last season. It was a blockbuster deal for the Avalanche at the last minute of the deadline. Kadri was brought back to aid the team’s center depth for a run at the Stanley Cup. However, his place on the team has shifted.
Colorado has received big-time contributions from Brock Nelson on the second line. Fyodor Svechkov and Gavin Brindley are filling in the bottom-six center spots. As a result, Kadri has found himself on the wing a lot this season. It seems like this could be a long-term thing, and Kadri is embracing the challenge.
“I think it’s a lot tougher than it looks, just from a mental perspective, just understanding everybody’s jobs and positions, especially off faceoffs. I think it can be a little tricky, but I seem to pick up on it pretty quick,” he said, via Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette.
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Kadri hasn’t found a ton of production early in the 2026-27 season. He has not scored a goal yet this year. He does have three assists, but that is well behind his usual point-producing pace. It’s still early, and his adjustment to the wing could be a reason for a slow start offensively.
Still, there is a lot of faith in the veteran forward from head coach Jared Bednar. He is asking a lot of Kadri, but wouldn’t do so if he didn’t believe the veteran could take on this task.
“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think it was a possibility to go long-term, and (Kadri) has played great on the wing. I think he’s been effective,” Bednar said. “It’s more about, for me, who he’s playing with, what the role of that line is and what we want to see out of it than the actual position for me.”
The Avalanche are in action again on Friday against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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