Report: Nazem Kadri back to the Avs was ‘really close’ to happening

A lot of Colorado Avalanche fans were hoping to get the news that fan-favorite Nazem Kadri was returning to Denver.

That didn’t happen, with Avs GM Chris MacFarland instead trading for Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs to be the team’s new third-line center.

But that doesn’t mean MacFarland didn’t check in on Kadri’s status with the Calgary Flames or come close to getting a trade done.

According to Nick Kypreos, a former NHL winger who has a huge social media following, a move was nearly complete. Kypreos was on was on “Sportsnet 590 The FAN” in Toronto on Thursday and shared some juicy details.

The whole clip is an interesting look at what might have gone wrong.

"I think it was really close with the principles done… but my understanding is that it didn't get the green light in Calgary."@RealKyper shares why the Avalanche's offer for Nazem Kadri fell through with @jtbourne and @SamAMcKee.

LIVE ⤵️
📺 https://t.co/SqK7M993Jz pic.twitter.com/5Ie1SylW6m

— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) March 5, 2026

Kypreos implies that the Flames were interested in the 2027 first-round pick the Avalanche ultimately sent to the Maple Leafs for Roy, plus more. 

It then sounds like management was on board with moving Nazem Kadri back to Colorado, but “it didn’t get green lighted.” It’s suggested that it could’ve raised to the level of ownership, above Flames GM Craig Conroy, who needed someone to sign off on it.

“Cause they were still trying to put butts in seats,” a co-host says. Maybe, Calgary didn’t feel like trading Kadri would send a great message to the fans?

Regardless, the Flames have 55 points and are one of the worst teams in the NHL. It’s clearly time for them to rebuild and a first-round selection along with more picks would’ve been valuable assets.

If this report is true, it’ll make Avalanche fans upset. MacFarland did all he could, but ultimately it was out of his hands to deliver the 2022 Stanley Cup champion Nazem Kadri back to Colorado.

Related

Avalanche name new head coach for AHL affiliate EaglesFive most important Avalanche games during the 2026-27 seasonNHL drops schedule for 2026-27 Avalanche seasonFirst Avalanche game of 2026-27 season announced, it’s in SeptemberAvs make three more depth signings, including forward with 477 NHL gamesAvalanche sign depth defenseman from the Flyers