Nazem Kadri Still Pissed Off Over Playoff Suspension

Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri is no stranger to being told to sit down during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, after yet another postseason suspension in 2021. Kadri was suspended for eight games after a blindside hit to the head of St Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk. As expected Kadri didn't agree with it then, and he still doesn't feel the punishment was warranted.

Kadri spoke to Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now and had this to say about his latest suspension:

I feel like that might be lacking in some areas. Sometimes, it feels like it’s more the offender and not the offense. I get it, I understand it’s a tough job. But for me to get the equivalent of a 20-game suspension in the regular season, for trying to make a responsible defensive play…?

The organization has backed Kadri since the news dropped, but as we've seen in the past with the Toronto Maple Leafs, there's a chance the Avalanche decide to cut ties with the player. There would be a ton of interest in Kadri on the trade market and Avs general manager Joe Sakic could find some comparable value via trade to replace his second-line center.

Last season the 30-year-old recorded 32 points in 56 games and one assist in the two postseason games he appeared in. His absence certainly hurt Colorado's chances and if you don't think so, give your head a shake. Kadri had 18 points in 15 games last season for the Avs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and having him in the lineup could have propelled them past the Vegas Golden Knights.

Look for the Avalanche to gauge the trade market on Kadri this summer as another suspension could be getting in the way of his future with a franchise.