The Colorado Avalanche are most likely facing the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2024-25 NHL postseason. The big question that everyone is wondering is whether or not captain Gabriel Landeskog would return this year. At times this season, they sure could have used him in the lineup—of course, if he’s healthy enough to suit up.
I’ve seen the question asked many times. Can he return this season if his health would allow it? Now that the trade deadline is well in the past, the answer is no. The reason, simply, is that the salary cap situation would not allow it. Landeskog holds a $7 million cap hit, while the Avalanche only have $836,500 in cap space. It just simply isn’t possible for his return before the playoffs. For the Avalanche fans who were unsure about this—and I don’t blame you—I’m sorry to burst your bubble.
That being said, depending on his rehab over the next several weeks, he technically would be allowed to play in the postseason. I want to be clear, though: being eligible is much different than being allowed. Because of the fact that there is not salary cap in the playoffs, the Avalanche could bring Landeskog back into the mix at any point once the postseason begins. By no means am I suggesting that it’s a sure thing that that will happen. I’m just stating what is possible here.
The reason that there is absolutely no salary cap in place for the postseason is because players are only paid for regular season games, not the postseason.
The Vegas Golden Knights did the same thing in the 2023 postseason, while the Tampa Bay Lightning also did it when they won the Stanley Cup. In a way, it’s a sneaky situation way of getting some of your star players back for the games that matter most in a season.
Only players on entry-level contracts or players who are 35 years old or older are eligible for playoff bonuses.
The wait for Gabriel Landeskog in a Colorado Avalanche sweater could still continue
While Landeskog could potentially return for the postseason, the decision might come later than fans would hope. His return could be based off of how the team does in the first several games. They could also send him down to the Colorado Eagles for a conditioning stint for several AHL games.
The Avalanche did that exact thing with goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen earlier in the season before waiving him. That situation in itself was a disaster simply because he was a bad fit with the team. Thankfully, the Avalanche figured out their goaltending problems.
But just as a way of laying it all out on the table, it is a possibility for Landeskog if he agrees to it. After not playing hockey for several years, it wouldn’t surprise me if he does agree to it. That would seemingly be in the best interest for everybody.
Another possibility is that Landeskog might actually not be ready at all for the postseason. In a recent video from Avalanche practice, Landeskog looked really good in his skating and in the drill that he was doing in it. While that is the case to some people’s eyes, we don’t know the whole situation as it stands right now. He might look good, but is he close to being in “hockey shape”? There’s a huge difference between those two things.
They also have to be careful that Landeskog doesn’t suffer a setback due to returning to game play too soon.
Right now, the Landeskog wait is still on, but we should know more as time goes on and the postseason gets underway.