Colorado Avalanche Still Talking With Nazem Kadri, Josh Manson As Deadline Nears

Still talking. That’s what I’m hearing, anyway, regarding the situations with potential Colorado Avalanche unrestricted free agents Nazem Kadri and Josh Manson as the 10 a.m. market opening looms.

As of late last night, a source familiar with the Manson situation said the Avalanche was still in it for the big D-man. I heard the same with Nazem Kadri, that “the door isn’t shut” for a possible Kadri return to Colorado.

That’s about all I know. Will either player sign with the Colorado Avalanche today? We still don’t know. If the Avalanche somehow pull a rabbit out of a hat and sign both guys, they will need to move out some other salary at some point before the start of the season.

The Avalanche has about $15 million to spend, but don’t forget about Artturi Lehkonen, the restricted free agent who will eat into that number with his next deal – whenever that is. He’s not going anywhere, so don’t worry about that at least.

I haven’t heard anything substantial in the way of talks between the Avalanche and veterans Jack Johnson and Darren Helm. Maybe they could circle back to Colorado when the initial frenzy is over and there’s some money left in the till.

If Kadri leaves, Andrew Copp might be a nice replacement, or Vincent Trochek. Or, hey, maybe those Patrick Kane rumors will come to fruition. There are still a lot of big names out there who might be on new teams today, so it’s going to be very interesting.

Darcy Kuemper, I hear, will be a Washington Capital. We’ll see, but that’s what I am hearing. It would not shock me if Helm went back to Detroit, by the way. *HELM came back after all.

Saddle up for a long day kids.