The Colorado Avalanche have a very big problem next season, and it starts with Gabriel Landeskog
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Gabriel Landeskog's full-season return next year could create challenges for the Colorado Avalanche.
For the past few seasons, the Avalanche have enjoyed extra cap flexibility by placing their captain on LTIR, allowing management to spend beyond the salary cap.
The Colorado Avalanche have a very big problem next season, and it starts with Gabriel Landeskog.
Nestor Quixtan from Mile High Sticking sums it up perfectly by writing that when a team places a player on LTIR after reaching the salary cap, they're granting additional cap space equal to that player's salary, giving them more room to make moves and sign players.
"It's what the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights did to get them over the top in their Stanley Cup runs." -Quixtan
At the beginning of the season, the Avalanche had more than $13 million in LTIR relief due to Valeri Nichushkin and Landeskog being sidelined. That cap flexibility was cut in half when Nichushkin returned in mid-November.
"Now, the remainder of that LTIR pool will likely go out the window as Gabriel Landeskog is set to return to full-time duty next season." -Quixtan
The Avalanche won't be able to keep all of their players; tough decisions will need to be made to stay clear under the salary cap. While they could clear space by trading away other contracts, that would mean parting ways with someone valuable.
Quixtan also writes that Colorado's need for a second-line center might force them to take a similar route with a player like Brock Nelson, offering him the salary he wants but spreading it over several years to reduce the annual cap hit.
"The Avalanche, ultimately, could utilize a deferred contract structure with its impending free agents to keep the band together, while ensuring their cap compliant. As the cap ceiling goes up in the next few seasons, the increased space would make it easier to continue adding pieces to remain competitive." -Quixtan
The offseason promises plenty of intrigue as the Avalanche aim to retool for another serious Stanley Cup push in 2026, and it all starts this summer with management.
Source:
Mile High Sticking
Gabriel Landeskog's return next season complicates Colorado Avalanche's cap situation
Mile High Sticking
Gabriel Landeskog's return next season complicates Colorado Avalanche's cap situation
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
MAI 26 | 40 ANSWERS The Colorado Avalanche have a very big problem next season, and it starts with Gabriel Landeskog Do you think Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is healthy enough to play a full season next year? | ||
| yes | 30 | 75 % |
| no | 10 | 25 % |
| List of polls | ||
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