Mile High Sticking
Fansided

Colorado Avalanche Future: 3 Possible Scenarios

By Nadia Archuleta

Mar 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy talks to his players during a timeout out called in the third period against the Florida Panthers at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Panthers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy talks to his players during a timeout out called in the third period against the Florida Panthers at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Panthers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
colorado avalanche
Oct 30, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (92) watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Leadership Shift: Gabriel Landeskog

A major problem for the Colorado Avalanche is their mentality. They lack focus and a killer instinct. They can’t finish games.

When a team isn’t right in mentality, people look to the leadership. Gabriel Landeskog took over the captaincy from Milan Hejduk at the beginning of the 2012-13 season. He still holds the record as being the youngest player to ever be named an NHL captain.

People have long criticized Landeskog’s captaincy. Of course, one of the main complaints is his youth. Additionally, he catches a lot of flak because it’s well-known that he’s not critical in the locker room. Some people feel a sharp tongue makes a good hockey captain.

This year, Landeskog has also been the epitome of inconsistent. He’s gone for long stretches without scoring, which is relatively normal, but also long stretches without even being a force on the ice. What’s more, he’s been undisciplined, taking penalties that hurt the team. He’s even been suspended twice this year.

Trading Landeskog makes a huge impact on the team because of his captaincy. You make a huge statement when you trade the captain. It also gives the team a chance to promote one of the other worthy players, such as Erik Johnson, though Matt Duchene would be considered as well.

Landeskog’s just not the difference-maker that Matt Duchene is on the ice. Landeskog could also bring back a puck-moving defenseman. Unlike Duchene, Gabriel has a no-trade clause, but that just means he’ll have some say in which team he goes to.

While this scenario is more likely than a Duchene trade, I still find it highly unlikely. Colorado has more defensemen ready to move up than forwards. Trading Landeskog for a defenseman leaves almost as big a hole as trading Duchene.

Plus, I just don’t think management is ready to undo the full leadership yet. Gabriel Landeskog is young — just 23 — and he was always seen as a captain for the future. He’s barely striding into his prime as a player and as a leader. Again, you risk trading him to a team just in time for him to realize his full potential.

I think it would make more sense for the Colorado Avalanche to talk Jarome Iginla into moving. They wouldn’t get near the return, but he’s a leader on the team, too. That might make the same kind of spiritual statement without the huge upheaval.

Next: Pull the Goalie

Home/Avalanche News