Nazem Kadri is back, the Colorado Avalanche are rolling, and the vibes around this team have completely shifted. Jesse Montano and Meghan Angley break down a huge week for the Avs after four massive wins, a statement trade deadline, and an emotional reunion with Nazem Kadri in Colorado.
The show dives into what Kadri’s return means both on the ice and inside the locker room, why the Avalanche suddenly look like one of the deepest teams in hockey again, and how Chris MacFarland’s deadline work continues to reshape this roster in a major way. Jesse and Meghan also discuss Colorado’s back-to-back wins over Dallas and Minnesota, the importance of center depth, the Avs’ goaltending stability, and why this team may be even more dangerous than people realize.
Plus, Connor McGahey, the voice of the Colorado Avalanche, joins the show to share his perspective on the trade deadline chaos, the reaction inside the room to Kadri’s return, the fit of new additions like Nick Waugh and Brett Kulak, and why this Avalanche team might be one of the deepest he’s ever seen.
The episode also takes a close look at the Avs’ still-inconsistent power play, how Kadri may help unlock a more dangerous man advantage, and why Colorado’s flexibility down the middle could become a defining factor heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Presented by Furniture Row, RefiJet, and Johnson Auto Plaza.
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:58 Opening thoughts on the Avs’ huge week
5:07 Central Division playoff race and first-round bloodbath talk
8:43 What Kadri’s return means to the team and fan base
16:28 Connor McGahey joins the show
17:52 Reaction inside the room to Kadri coming back
19:27 Deadline expectations vs. what the Avs actually did
22:32 Is this one of the deepest Avalanche teams ever?
25:03 Nick Waugh’s fit with Colorado
27:26 Locker room chemistry, character, and Kadri’s impact
30:09 Why the Avs’ goaltending situation feels different now
35:50 Brett Kulak and Colorado benefiting from Edmonton’s moves
40:30 How the Kadri trade came together behind the scenes
43:26 Power play talk and why Kadri could help
56:10 Nazem Kadri postgame comments
1:03:34 Avalanche power play concerns continue
1:12:19 Final thoughts and what’s next
#ColoradoAvalanche #Avs #NazemKadri #NHL #ConnorMcGahey #AvsNation #TradeDeadline #StanleyCup #NathanMacKinnon #CaleMakar #GuerillaSports #HockeyPodcast
4 Comments
Kadri brings swagger. That is straight catnip for fans in a sport that prides itself on humility.
Ya,& don't forget Utah is only 1 point behind Anaheim…1 point away from having the 4 best teams in the West from the central. I don't think a lot of people realize it-I didn't til yesterday. But ya home ice is preferable but not having to beat Dallas AND Minnesota is the bigger deal. WPG was good but won Prez trophy cuz Hellunbuck had a historic regular season,& they won a lot of close games.Everything went their way to be a good team putting up a great record.
But their 2C was below average -they clearly didn't have the overall talent level of Colorado,Dallas, Edmonton or Vegas last season. I never believed they were really that good. But this year is different-forget the records-Colorado,Dallas,& Minnesota really are that good…they really are 3 of the 5 best teams. Even though it's a big relief Minny also didn't get Trochek or somebody to fix their 2C hole. But rest of their lineup is legit Cup contender-unlike WPG last yr.
Not the deepest center depth ever…we saw things like this in the pre cap era. 90s/00 Detroit,& Colorado had Hart winners,& scoring champions at 2C. Go look at the 4th line "Grind line" on those Wing teams. Those teams would take stacked already teams,& add 1 All star or HOFer every deadline or offseason-sometimes multiple.
2002 Wings had like 10 future HOFers-granted they weren't all in their prime. A few were past their prime,& Zetteberg/Datsyuk were young but still… But in salary cap era I said it the other day. On paper this team might have the deepest center depth in the cap era. Bardacov has to be the best "6C" on earth- lol.
I still can't believe they brought Naz back!!