A deep look at the Colorado Avalanche’s salary cap situation as the team heads into training camp

The Colorado Avalanche could have serious cap complications if Landeskog and Nichushkin return

Now, let’s be clear for a moment. Getting a healthy and productive Gabe Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin on the club would be a major boost.

Nevertheless, their returns could wreak havoc on the team’s salary cap structure.

Let’s explore the following scenario:

Landeskog is cleared to play. He plays a few rehab games in the AHL and hits the ice with the Avs. The Colorado Avalanche have their captain back and all is good.

Since the Avs don’t add Landeskog to LTIR, the team’s current cap space remains $2 million. So far, so good.

Now, let’s assume that Nichushkin is also cleared to play. Per the terms of his suspension, Nichushkin could return to the lineup as early as mid-November. Please note that it’s not automatic that he can suit up. There’s no telling in what sort of physical or mental condition Nichushkin is in. As such, it may take longer for Nichushkin to be game-ready.

Here’s where the trouble begins.

Nichushkin carries a $6 million cap hit. If we subtract $6 million from $2 million, that leaves the Avs $4 million in the hole.

In short, that cannot happen. The Avs would have to find a way to remain cap compliant. Otherwise, they could face a financial penalty or worse, forfeit games for being over the cap. The closest team to a situation such as that was the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knights had to ice an undermanned team in order to remain cap compliant.

Overall, having Landeskog and Nichushkin could send Colorado management into a frenzy. GM Chris MacFarland would need to figure out the best way to remain cap compliant without sacrificing the lineup.

That task is easier said than done. So, let’s get into the potential options the Avs would have to remain cap compliant.