Colorado Avalanche: Predicting the 2015-16 Top Scorers

Top Scorer Candidate #3 – Gabriel Landeskog

Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) attempts a shot on goal in the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Gabriel Landeskog has never been known as a pure goal scorer, who would be expected to score a point per game. He is rather famous for his two-way play, paired with a lot of skill and the ability to score at a decent pace.

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In his draft year, Landekog scored “only” 66 points in 53 games for the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers, which can be considered low for a second-overall pick. However, he went on to score 52 points in his NHL rookie season in 2011-12, and 65 points in the Central Division title winning season 2013-14. That year, he even scored 26 goals, which is a really good number. In 2014-15, he was tied for the Colorado Avalanche scoring title with Iginla.

So, as we can see, Landeskog does know how to score, even though that isn’t the one and only focus of his game. He is expected to play on his countryman Carl Soderberg’s wing, and it remains to be seen how well that works out. Then again, Landeskog and MacKinnon have the talent to carry Soderberg, in case he struggles on the second line.

2014-15 point total: 59 points

2015-16 projection: 65 points

Next: Avs Top Scorer Candidate #2