Top stars potential return remains uncertain, leaving the Colorado Avalanche to consider how it might impact their trade deadline strategy. Head coach Jared Bednar provided an update on Thursday, though he admitted there isn’t much new to report.
“No change, really, or nothing new to report on Gabe’s situation,” Bednar said. “I’m sure that does have an effect on our thinking going into the deadline and what adds that we could make, or that we would pursue. I try to stay out of most of that stuff and coach the team. So, it’s not really my question, but I’m sure that has something to do with it.” With Landeskog’s status still up in the air, the Avalanche may need to adjust their approach as the deadline nears.
Although Gabriel Landeskog has traveled with the team this season, he has yet to participate in an official practice, according to Colleen Flynn of Colorado Hockey Now. The last time he skated was on Jan. 16, but he has not played since the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in June 2022 due to a knee injury that required a cartilage transplant in May 2023.
When asked about Landeskog’s timeline for a return, head coach Jared Bednar said, “That’ll be up to Gabe and our medical team when he or if he’s going to be able to come back. There’s only seven weeks left, so he’s working hard. He’s still trying to get better and get to a spot where he thinks he can play, and we’ll see if he’s able to accomplish that in the regular season, or if it’s going to take till playoffs, or if we’re going to have to go a certain length of time in the playoffs to get him back, or even if he’s going to be able to get back this year.”
Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland echoed that uncertainty in a Jan. 26 interview with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, stating that while Landeskog is making progress in his rehab, there is still no clear return date.
With Landeskog’s $7 million cap hit currently on long-term injured reserve, the Avalanche have financial flexibility ahead of the March 7 trade deadline, with $4.7 million in available cap space. However, if Landeskog is activated before the playoffs, his salary would count against the cap, making it difficult for Colorado to acquire a high-priced player via trade. The uncertainty surrounding their captain’s availability complicates the team’s deadline plans.