Forward Nazem Kadri Out Indefinitely, Colorado Looks To Replace His Production In The Lineup

By Jordan Long

The Colorado Avalanche are set to host the Ottawa Senators tonight.  Colorado is looking for their 5^th straight victory.  They will have to do it without forward Nazem Kadri who will be out of the lineup indefinitely.

Kadri centers the 2^nd line for Colorado on full strength situations.   He also spends time with Colorado on their 2^nd power play unit.  On full strength, Kadri uses his speed to skate into the offensive zone for scoring chances.  When he fires the puck on net, those may be goals or create rebounds for Colorado to knock the puck into the net.  Kadri will find his open teammate when the goalies are out of position for goals.   Kadri has a total of 19 goals and 17 assists for a total of 36 points.

                On the power play, Kadri sets up in front of the goaltender.  This gives him the ability to screen the goalie and makes it difficult for him to see the puck.  Kadri tips the puck when it is shot by one of his teammates from the point.  Those end in goals.  On the power play, he scored 4 goals and added 7 assists so far this season.

Kadri was hurt during the Avalanche’s 3-2 win against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.  He fell backwards in an offensive zone faceoff in the second period appearing to twist his leg when he passed the puck after battling for a faceoff win.  He returned to take one shift in the 3^rd period, but he was clearly hurt and skated back to the bench only to walk into the locker room.  He never returned to the game.

                Colorado knows this is a large loss for the team and they will have to figure out who will take his place on the 2^nd line.  The Avs have plenty of depth.  Colorado may need to switch their lines to have Pierre-Edouard Bellemare go from the 3^rd line to the 2^nd.  Another option is for Tyson Jost to move up from the 4^th line to center the 2^nd line.  They may call up a center from the Colorado Eagles.

                The Avalanche know they will have to replace Kadri’s production.  It won’t be easy. Hopefully,  Kadri will be back soon for Colorado who is aiming for a 3^rd consecutive playoff berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs.