New Avalanche center Nazem Kadri said Tuesday he’s up for the challenge of centering the second line.
He’s looking to rebound after a down offensive season when he scored 16 goals after he had 32 in each of the two previous seasons while averaging 58 points. His 44 points were his fewest since he had 39 in 2014-15.
“I think everyone knows what I’m capable of,… Kadri said during a conference call. “Hitting the 30-goal mark back-to-back times is pretty tough to do in the NHL and I certainly have that potential.…
Kadri, 28, was acquired from Toronto on Monday with defenseman Calle Rosen and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL draft for defenseman Tyson Barrie, forward Alexander Kerfoot and a sixth-round pick in 2020.
Kadri was the Maple Leafs No. 3 center behind John Tavares and Auston Matthews and is being counted on to take some of the burden off the high-scoring line of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.
It’s emotional to leave a team and a home, but Nazem Kadri is excited to be here.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/iM5JCns5oe
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 2, 2019
“I’m ready for it,… Kadri said. “That’s a good thing about Toronto, prepping you (for being) under that pressure, being under the microscope. It’s hard to perform there sometimes because of the scrutiny and the pressure that you face, how everyone seems to be watching you. That’s one thing that I’m fortunate that the city gave me, just to be able to adapt and control those pressure situations.
“I feel like I’m having a great summer so far and I’m feeling really the best I ever have working for redemption next season. I feel strong, I feel great and I strongly believe that my best years are yet to come. I think Colorado’s a nice step for me.…
One area of concern: Kadri has been suspended five times, twice in the playoffs. He was suspended in April for what turned out to be the final five games of Toronto’s seven-game first-round playoff loss to Boston for cross-checking Jake DeBrusk in the head in Game 2.
“I think they know I’m a heart and soul guy and I’ll do anything for my teammates,… Kadri said. “I think that was obviously shown sometimes not necessarily in the best way. My head and my heart were always in the right place. I don’t think that played a part in the (trade).
“As everybody knows, I’m a very competitive person. I don’t like losing. Winning makes everything a lot easier and a lot more fun. I have that feistiness and that competitive edge, and that’s really what keeps me motivated.…
Kadri, who is from London, Ontario, has spent his entire career with the Leafs, who made him their first-round pick (No. 7) in the 2009 NHL draft. He has 357 points (161 goals, 196 assists) in 561 regular-season games with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 19 playoff games.
Kadri said he's received welcoming messages from several new teammates.
“I’ve been coming to Denver for many, many years and it’s a city that I love,… he said. “It’s just beautiful all around. The venue, the Pepsi Center is a great venue to play in and I enjoy playing there. A lot of the guys on the team have actually reached out and gave me a shout, which is always nice. To welcome new players shows a lot of class.
“I’ve spoken to (general manager) Joe (Sakic) and he had some very positive things to say. All this positivity, it’s tough to leave (Toronto), it wasn’t really my first choice, but at the end of the day the Colorado Avalanche are going to be contenders for many, many years to come with such a young team, such great players. I’m absolutely thrilled.…
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On a personal note, I’m sorry to see Barrie go. Just a really friendly, down-to-earth guy who was always available, win or lose.
The highest-scoring defenseman in Quebec/Colorado franchise history for goals (75), assists (232) and points (307), he had 59 points (14 goals, 45 assists) in 78 games last season with eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 12 playoff games.
But with one year left on his contract, and with such an influx of young defensemen (Bowen Byram, Samuel Girard, Cale Makar, Conor Timmins), the timing was right for the Avalanche to trade him.
"I think I'm just coming into my prime," Barrie told Toronto reporters. "The last half of the year and into the playoffs, I was playing some really good hockey and I feel comfortable with where my game is at right now. I can’t wait to continue to improve. I'm an offensive-minded defenseman, but in the past I've been relied on to play against other teams' top lines and try to get the puck in the forwards' hands as quick as possible and jump into the play to create some offense."
Let’s not forget Kerfoot, who in his second NHL season had one fewer goal and one fewer assist (15 goals, 27 assists) than Kadri, and he won 56 percent of his faceoffs.
"I was fortunate enough the last couple years to be able to move around the lineup and become a lot more comfortable in different roles, playing center, playing wing, and playing in different situations," Kerfoot told Toronto reporters. "I think I've developed that ability in my game a little bit. I feel like I'm comfortable in a lot of different situations."
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The Avalanche announced Tuesday that they’ve signed three minor-league players, defenseman Daniel Renouf to a two-year contract and forwards Jayson Megna and T.J. Tynan to one-year contracts.
The 6-foot-3, 198-pound Renouf, 25, had 24 points (two goals, 22 assists) in 74 games last season for the Calder Cup champion Charlotte Checkers. He had a goal and two assists in 12 playoff games.
The 6-1, 195-pound Megna, 29, had 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 71 games for the Hershey Bears with eight points (four goals, four assists) in nine playoff games.
The 5-9, 165-pound Tynan, 27, had 71 points (12 goals, 59 assists) in 71 games for the Chicago Wolves with 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 22 playoff games.