NHL Rumors: Avalanche Center Prefers To Stay In Colorado

Nazem Kadri is one of the top pending UFAs, so plenty of teams are hoping to sign the 31-year-old center. However, testing the market isn't his preference. While speaking with Nick Kypreos, Kadri said that he wants to stay with the Colorado Avalanche.

Kadri also noted that the Avalanche's owners want him to stay put, so that definitely helps his chances of remaining in Colorado. However, Kadri just put up a spectacular 87-point campaign in 71 games, so he is in a position to command a major raise. As a result of this, a return isn't an automatic guarantee. This is especially true if a new contract isn't finalized once free agency starts and other clubs can contact him.

We will have to wait and see if the Avalanche can lock up Kadri from here, but it's definitely a great sign that he's very open to staying.