Someone leaked the "eight interested teams" storyline to the press. Assume, Pittsburgh was one, now it's seven. 1-2 more may surface as the deadline gets closer.I am not convinced Kadri being out makes a trade for Kreider more likely. It may make it less likely. Kadri is a top 9 center. They may wish to get more depth down the middle. I just don't trust that Sakic will be less stingy because of this injury. I don't get the sense he's feeling pressure to win the cup this year.
Blues and Bruins and Caps are the teams that seem to be up against their cup contention windows. Maybe the Rangers can use the Avs to up other offers, but i feel like Gorton already knows the likely return for Kreider from any teams that are truly serious. He's just going to wait to see if he can make them a touch sweeter at the deadline. I doubt the Avs are one of those teams Gorton is focused on.
You are right, Gorton knows what the market is. I'm sure he has talked with each team and they have exchanged names IF the Rangers make Kreider available. That's how it works.