Details emerged about how the Avalanche and Calgary Flames put together their deal just before the trade deadline. The Rangers were asking for a large package for Vincent Trocheck. Also, were the Habs and Leafs discussing a blockbuster trade on Friday?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — March 10.

Colorado Hockey Now

Elliotte Friedman confirmed on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast that the Avs and Flames were discussing a Nazem Kadri trade before Colorado shifted to Nic Roy. This is something we’ve heard about over the past few days.

But Friedman also spoke about what the deal looked like before and after Colorado traded for Roy. According to the Sportsnet NHL Insider, the original trade included just 15% retention. That means the Avs would’ve gotten Kadri for $5.95 million per season. After the deal fell apart and the Avs traded for Roy, general manager Chris MacFarland and the rest of the front office still felt like a deal could be had.

So they circled back with the Flames, who were also motivated to do right by their veteran centerman. When the renegotiations began, the Avalanche needed more retention from Calgary, given that they had just committed to Roy’s $3 million for this year and next. Calgary agreed to pay slightly more, upping retention to 20% or a $5.6 million cap hit for the Avs. In exchange, the Avalanche gave up slightly more to account for that extra retention.

It’s unclear what that was. Did it mean an upgrade from a mid-level draft pick to a second-round pick? Was Max Curran not in the original deal? Was it a different prospect or no prospect at all? These are all guesses. But I would imagine the original trade still had Victor Olofsson and a first round pick going to Calgary.

Anyway, Kadri is back. He already looks like a perfect fit again. And he’s here for $5.6 million for each of the next three seasons beyond the stretch run this year. MacFarland deserves a lot of praise for making it happen.

Around The NHL

Montreal Hockey Now: Were the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens discussing a massive trade at the deadline? One Insider believes so.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Why there is more uncertainty around the future of Simon Nemec than before the deadline.

Florida Hockey Now: On the brink of missing the playoffs, the Panthers are possibly going to start shutting down some guys.

Boston Hockey Now: Casey Mittelstadt and the rest of the second line have helped charge the Bruins in their push to the playoffs.

Carolina Hockey Now: The Canes were in on Vincent Trocheck at the deadline. Here’s what the Rangers were asking for in return.