The Colorado Avalanche are headed back to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the eighth time in a row. Injuries have played a major role in how this season has gone for the Avs. The team has dressed a league high 47 players, a statistic that is usually reserved for teams that aren't in playoff contention.
However, this Avalanche team looks much different, as they have gotten (mostly) healthy. General manager Christ MacFarland also made multiple trades and signings to reshape the roster. With the top of the roster, led by NHL points leader Nathan MacKinnon, and the new depth added throughout the season, this team is all in for a Stanley Cup run.
This season has certainly been a roller coaster, with many ups and downs, though it certainly seems the Avs are reaching their peak at the right time. There's just one more player the Colorado Avalanche are hoping returns: Gabriel Landeskog.
Gabriel Landeskog's long awaited return
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has been out of the lineup due to injury since the Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup in June of 2022. It has been almost three full years since he has played any hockey at all.
But finally, the wait seems to be over. The most recent news on Landeskog's path to return is a possible conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles. Of course, because of the salary cap, Landy cannot play for the Avalanche until the playoffs begin.
Fitting the captain into the lineup
Adding Landeskog to the lineup isn't going to be a simple task for coach Jared Bednar. He didn't suffer a normal injury and was out for three years as opposed to a more common length of time like one season. He will likely need a handful of games to get back to game speed, and likely another handful to find his place in the system.
Before the injury he was a staple in the top six, often lining up with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. He likely won't crack the top six in game one, as I believe the Avalanche will bring him up slowly. Exactly how Bednar plans to work Landeskog into the lineup remains to be seen.
Possible Landeskog line combinations
There are number of line combinations for Bednar to work Landeskog into the lineup comfortably.
To insert Landeskog into my game one lineup, my immediate move is to give him Miles Wood's spot on the third line. Landeskog with Charlie Coyle and Ross Colton sounds like a formidable line. I know that putting him on the fourth line in this situation makes the most sense, but I don't want break up the Kelly-Drury-O'Connor line. Slotting Landy here seems like the most obvious course of action, but the Avs don't always do the obvious things.
Another line combination I can see working for them is putting him up on the second line with Brock Nelson and Marty Necas. In my opinion, Brock Nelson hasn't been quite as much of the net front presence that I thought he was going to be. Gabe, however, has all kinds of history as being that guy for us. The real question is will he be able to handle that physicality in front of the net. We will likely see 92 on the second line a few games into the round.
My last Landeskog line is actually going to dismantle my beloved fourth line. Begrudgingly, I will drop Parker Kelly and put Landy there. I think Drury and O'Connor's excellent hustle can help keep Landeskog afloat as he finds his game legs. Landy is a sound defensive forward and I think he'll be able to handle playing a bit of a shutdown role.
Realistic expectations for game one
In all likelihood, I would expect Coach Bednar to shelter Landeskog's minutes a bit and play him around 10 minutes for at least the first game. Obviously, the team will want to bring him up slowly. We saw this recently when Miles Wood reappeared in the lineup against the Los Angeles Kings, he played just under 10 minutes.
Now, I do believe it's possible that Landy could end up getting more than 10 minutes, as we'll likely see him on the powerplay. If the Avalanche end up with multiple powerplay opportunities, he will see much more time. He recently practiced with the first unit, but I could see him being the man in front for the second unit if he hasn't quite found the rhythm with the top unit.
The most important part of our Captain returning, is the leadership. I've long believed there was a leadership problem in his absence. Even if he only played six minutes, his presence in the locker room and on the bench is invaluable. Coupled with the return of the Condor, Erik Johnson, I'm excited to see this team with some proper leadership.
O Captain, my Captain, we are so ready to finally see you return to the ice and wear that Avalanche game day sweater once more.