Clearing Cap Space: Trade Options For The Avalanche To Re-Sign Kadri

There has been a debate on what the next step should be between the Colorado Avalanche and Nazem Kadri. A lot of fans are suggesting that a trade should happen to clear up more space in the salary cap in order to keep Kadri. Who should those players be? What value should the Avs look for in return? Will the trade be worth it to free up cap space this year? I will answer all of these questions with some insights on the cause and effect it will have on the team and its future.

Let’s start with the trades. Who do you trade to clear up cap space and what do you get in return for every player? Now, with the estimated $3.9 million left in cap space, we can add in the room created by shedding at least one player in a trade. 

Samuel Girard – Defenseman 

Samuel Girard is a small, light, and fast defenseman that brings unpredictability to the game with his skating style. Girard signed a seven-year contract in 2020 for $5 million per year. His tornado spins and mobility on the blue line are what make him such a valuable commodity on the trade market. Also, Girard has been good for 25-30 points every year. He is great on the second pair with Josh Manson (who just signed a four-year deal himself), but Bowen Byram could easily fill the role of Girard. 

The Avs proved they were able to win in the playoffs without Girard. He took a massive hit into the boards that snapped his sternum in Game 3 of the St. Louis series. If the Avalanche trade Girard away, he could easily be worth a second-round pick and third-round pick in the draft. This would help fill the gap that the Avs have in the draft next year, since they don’t have second, third, or fourth round picks.

Erik Johnson – Defenseman

As the oldest and longest tenured player on the Avalanche, Erik Johnson provides leadership and knowledge to the younger defenseman that just can’t be taught by coaches at the lower levels of hockey. When healthy, Johnson can be one of the best bottom-four defensemen in the league and truly showed that during the 2021-22 season. He is a heavy hitter and an excellent penalty killer. His biggest downfall has to do with his paycheck. In September 2015, Johnson signed a seven-year contract that would pay him $6 million per year with a modified no-trade clause added in. He can be moved to a list of only 19 teams of his choosing, but finding a team in that short of a list would be tough, especially with how far along he is in his career. 

If the Avalanche trade Johnson, one likely replacement could be Kurtis MacDermid (purely because of his size and his intimidation factor). If Colorado wanted a more skilled defensemen, a promotion for Jacob MacDonald from the Colorado Eagles could be in order, with the Avs utilizing him for his peskiness & speed. Johnson would probably be traded for fifth and sixth round draft picks on the open market.

J.T. Compher – Forward

Acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in the Ryan O’Reilly trade of June 2015, J.T. Compher has spent his whole career with the Colorado Avalanche. Known for his forecheck and penalty kill capabilities, Compher typically only produces about 20-30 points per year. He is a gritty forward that mostly plays third-line center and is hardly ever put on the wings. Compher is in the last year of a contract that was signed in July 2019 and worth $3.5 million per year. Alex Newhook or Ben Meyers would be good replacement players for Compher, but neither has the same production or anywhere near the experience of Compher. In a trade, Compher could garner a combo of sixth-round and seventh-round draft picks.

Effects of a Trade

Keeping Kadri would have multiple effects on the Avalanche. He brings an average offensive production of about 57 points in an 82-game season, not to mention Kadri’s special teams ability that keeps the Avalanche dangerous in those aspects. Plus, this will lead to a more solid top-six forward corps, as well. Hypothetically, the benefit of trading away one of the three players listed will bring in draft picks leading to prospects. These players will develop and eventually become more talent in the Avalanche system. And who knows – maybe a diamond in the rough like another Cale Makar?

The main issue in a trade situation to clear cap space would be the Nathan MacKinnon extension. Kadri is more than likely looking for a multi-year contract, so the amount of money that can be offered to MacKinnon would have to be lowered. I would expect MacKinnon to be looking for at least $9-$10 million per year (if not more), but a Kadri contract could impact that. The defensive structure could also be severely impacted by removing one of the key defenders like Girard or Johnson. 

Conclusion

Trading someone to keep Kadri now and stay in the “win now” attitude could be the worst thing for the Avalanche in the long run. Colorado should keep as close to the same roster for the sake of chemistry. Trading one of these players just makes a hole that has to be filled somewhere else and only solves a temporary issue. The Avalanche have said they want to concentrate on extending MacKinnon and that is their priority, as it should be. If Kadri wants more than what the Avalanche have to offer, it is time for both to move on.

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Editor’s Note: Brennan Vogt is a guest columnist for Full Press Hockey. He is currently the social media manager for Eurolanche, a European-based Avalanche fan group. Brennan’s previous experience includes articles for Denver Nose Bleeds.