Popular hockey personality Steve Dangle and his co-host Jesse Blake didn’t mince words on their podcast this week, lashing out at the Colorado Avalanche’s front office for what they view as a continued failure to properly replace former second-line center Nazem Kadri. The criticism comes even in the wake of Colorado’s recent signing of veteran forward Brock Nelson to a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension, carrying a $7.5 million average annual value (AAV).
“It’s not just that they didn’t bring Kadri back,” Dangle said during the show. “They’ve pretty consistently screwed up his replacement.” His comments speak to a growing sentiment that, despite the Avalanche’s high-powered roster and Stanley Cup pedigree, the team has struggled to maintain the middle-six center depth that was critical to their 2022 championship run.
Kadri was an integral piece of that team, providing not only scoring and playmaking ability but also grit and leadership in the locker room. After posting 87 points in 71 games during the 2021–22 regular season and following it up with a strong playoff performance—despite playing through injury—Kadri priced himself out of Colorado’s budget. He eventually signed with the Calgary Flames for seven years at $49 million ($7M AAV), a deal many now believe the Avs should have matched or at least come close to.
Blake was even more blunt in his take: “Why the hell didn’t you just pay Nazem Kadri?” he asked. “The guy was tailor-made for that team, and they let him walk to chase lesser options.”
Since Kadri’s departure, Colorado has attempted to plug the second-line center hole with a rotating cast of players, including J.T. Compher, Alex Newhook, and even short-term experiments like Lars Eller. None have come close to replicating Kadri’s unique blend of offensive punch, edge, and two-way responsibility.
The latest attempt is 32-year-old Brock Nelson, who had been a reliable top-six player with the New York Islanders. Nelson brings a solid scoring touch—he’s recorded 30 or more goals in multiple seasons—but he lacks Kadri’s physicality and dynamism. And at $7.5 million per year, he’s actually being paid more than Kadri, a fact that Dangle and Blake pointed to as a major contradiction in Colorado’s front-office logic.
“The number doesn’t make sense,” Dangle said. “You said you couldn’t afford Kadri, but now you’re giving more to a guy who’s arguably less impactful? That’s just poor asset management.”
The Avalanche are still a Cup-contending team led by superstars like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen. But the lack of stability in the middle-six forward group has raised valid concerns about their depth—especially in the playoffs, where matchups and line balance are key.
While Brock Nelson may yet prove to be a solid fit, the scrutiny from analysts like Dangle and Blake highlights the growing impatience with Colorado’s refusal—or inability—to properly address a glaring hole left by one of their most vital championship contributors. Whether Nelson thrives or falters, the shadow of Nazem Kadri still looms large in Denver.
