As we get closer to the opening of training camp this fall, speculation will ramp up regarding what the Colorado Avalanche’s Opening Night lineup could look like.
On the whole, there aren’t very many questions about the lineup spots themselves. The questions will be how to round out the lineup itself.
On the whole, the top six really doesn’t have many question marks. Nathan MacKinnon should be the top-line center with Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas flanking him. So, no mystery there.
The second line, however, could lead to some uncertainty. Brock Nelson should line up down the middle. But it’s the wings that may be up for debate. As it stands, Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri should flank Nelson. Nevertheless, some concerns have emerged regarding Landeskog’s viability as a top-six forward.
At face value, Landeskog has shown he can hang in a top-six role. He hasn’t shown major signs of decline following his massive knee injury. While he’s not quite as fast as he once was, Landeskog doesn’t seem impeded in any way. And yes, he had injury concerns last season. Unfortunately, both stints on the shelf were not really his fault. There was the crash into the net in a game against the Florida Panthers, and the injury from friendly fire.
Beyond that, Landeskog has shown he can keep up. His declining production, however, could lead to questions about his top-six role next season.
Landeskog’s production could lead to lineup shifts
Landeskog’s numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt. The 33-year-old came back last season after missing three full years. In 60 games, he scored 14 goals and 35 points. That wasn’t bad, especially for someone who had been away from the game for so long.
But looking back at previous years, despite missing some time, Landeskog was highly productive. In 2021-22, the Avalanche captain played in just 51 games, scoring 30 goals and 59 points. The year before, Landeskog had 52 points in 54 games during the COVID-shortened season.
So, is it fair to judge Landeskog based on an apparent “down” year?
Not by any means.
Landeskog will need to return to his career averages to prove he’s really back. Most importantly, getting back to, say, 20 goals and 50+ points should end any doubt regarding his role in the Avalanche’s top six.
But if Landeskog is now more of a 15-goal sort of player hovering around 30 to 40 points, it might be time to find a role for him in the bottom six where he could provide more depth scoring.
That situation, nonetheless, would lead to a discussion about finding another top-six winger. But that will be a chat for another day.
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