One of many query marks surrounding the Avalanche this summer season is the way forward for Gabriel Landeskog. Whereas it’s well-known that he was desiring to attempt to return from continued knee points that value him the final two seasons, the real looking chance of that taking place wasn’t precisely apparent.
Talking with NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, head coach Jared Bednar indicated that Colorado’s captain won’t be able to return when the puck drops on the common season in October. Nevertheless, Landeskog seems to be aiming for an early-season return. That stated, Bednar places that timeline between the primary month or two of the 12 months, noting that the precise timing stays as much as Landeskog.
“He is attempting to make a return right here someday close to the beginning of the season and if that goes properly, it could be a extremely huge enhance for us,” Bednar stated. “So, that is one thing we’re all a little bit anxious about, however actually enthusiastic about as properly. He hasn’t performed for us in two years.”
When healthy, Landeskog has been a key part of Colorado’s forward group. In 2021-22, his last season of action, he recorded 30 goals and 29 assists in just 51 games as a mainstay on the top line. Over his past four years (excluding the last two where he didn’t play), he has 230 points in 232 contests. While it wouldn’t be realistic to expect Landeskog to come back and produce at a similar rate after being off for so long, his eventual return should still bolster their depth at a minimum while potentially giving them a boost lower in the lineup.
From a salary-cap perspective, if the minimum timeline for Landeskog’s return is a month, he’ll be eligible to land back on LTIR to start the season. Between that and Valeri Nichushkin not counting towards the cap whereas within the NHL/NHLPA Participant Help Program, Colorado will safely be in cap compliance when the common season will get underway. However when (or if) each gamers can return, then they might be very tight to the higher restrict relying on how they fill out their roster over the subsequent couple of months.
In different harm information, Bednar indicated that winger Logan O’Connor ought to be prepared to start out the season after present process hip surgical procedure in March. Nevertheless, he’s not as sure that winger Artturi Lehkonen will probably be medically cleared by the opener; he had shoulder surgical procedure after the playoffs. If he’s not out there on opening evening, the Avs will probably be down three of their high wingers to start out the season.