Nazem Kadri had been rumored to be re-signing with the Colorado Avalanche but his potential new salary cap hit of $7-$8 milliom/year will just not work out with the Avs.
The Detroit Red Wings are reported to have interest in signing Kadri but nothing has materialized.
NHL trade rumors are now making the rounds that the New York Islanders and Nazem Kadri have a deal in place but nothing will be announced until the Isles free up the salary cap space needed to sign Kadri.
Stefan Rosner of NYI Hockey Now reports Islanders forward Josh Bailey and his $5 million salary cap hit is being shopped to make room for a Kadri signing.
Bailey, 32, has this season and next season left on his contract and with a $5 million salary cap hit, GM Lou Lamoriello might have to add in some additional compensation for any deal to get done.
This scenario likely explains why no Kadri signing has been announced since the beginning of free agent frenzy. Lou likes to wait until everything is in place, then announce a signing.
If the rumors are true and Kadri is headed to Long Island and teams know this, trading Bailey will cost the Islanders, even if it is a salary dump.
His likely destinations are either in Chicago or Arizona where bad contracts go to die right now in the NHL.
“where bad contracts go to die right now in the NHL”
I like that!