Nazem Kadri's teammate provides update on his status after his thumb surgery
It appears Nazem Kadri could be back at some point during the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning starting Wednesday. Kadri was back on the ice on Sunday going through a skating session with fellow injured winger Andrew Cogliano. Neither player joined the Avs high tempo one hour practice.
Kadri was checked from behind by the Oilers' Evander Kane in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. Cogliano was injured in Game 4 blocking a shot. Both had surgeries on their injured fingers.
NHL writer Kristen Shilton reported that Kadri's linemate Mikko Rantanen said the injured Nazem Kadri has been:
In Kadri's absence Coach Jared Bednar shifted Rantanen to the center role on the second line. Bednar has been running pairs in his top six for the playoffs. Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog on a line and when healthy Kadri and Rantanen with each line rotating players on the other wing.
Reporters asked if Kadri was ruled out of Game 1, "Not yet," Bednar said with a grin. Kadri will be two weeks post-injury for Saturday's Game 2.
Opinion: I think he is going to return at some point in the finals. There's no way on a personal level he's going to let his first opportunity to play in the Stanley Cup Finals pass him by.
| POLL | ||
Which game will Kadri return in during the Stanley Cup Finals? | ||
| Game 2-3 | 57 | 41.6 % |
| Game 4-5 | 52 | 38 % |
| Game 7 | 9 | 6.6 % |
| Doesn't appear in a game | 19 | 13.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
