Rumours of a potential Kadri return in Game 3 or 4 seem to be premature; Kadri spotted in a cast
A Sunday report regarding Nazem Kadri traveling with the Colorado Avalanche to Tampa Bay for Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals seemed to trigger a lot of speculation that the 31-year-old London, Ontario native could be nearing a return to the Avs' lineup imminently. A Monday report suggests that that's not necessarily the case.
According to The Hockey News' Mikey Stephens, Kadri was spotted walking into the arena with his teammates, sporting a cast on his injured hand on Monday, which should tell us a lot of what we need to know about his status for Game 3 at the very least.
Kadri needed surgery to repair the damage done to his thumb after Oilers forward Evander Kane cross-checked him from behind into the end boards in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Kadri has not played a game since, and if he's still in a full cast, it would surprise me if we see him at all during the Avs' remaining games during this playoff run.
Avs head coach Jared Bednar has not officially shut Kadri down for the playoffs, but I'd imagine Kadri's presence with the team on the road is just in case the Avs pull off the sweep and win the Cup on the road. Since Kadri was such an integral part of the team's success up to this point, it stands to reason that both he and the team would want him there to be a part of the celebrations.
We'll continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as they become available.
