Gabriel Landeskog NOT retiring, more Chris MacFarland updates
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
The end-of-season press conference opened up some eyes into the insight of the Avalanche. The Colorado Avalanche's end-of-season press conference brought plenty of news and information but left much to be desired. First and foremost, let’s get it out of the way right away: Gabriel Landeskog is not retiring. The Avs PR spokesperson said this right from the get-go and joked about it as well.
pic.twitter.com/7N9rRKYmwT— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 23, 2024
Landeskog followed up the not-retiring statement by saying it has felt like slow torture not being able to play while his teammates do. He fully understood, though, the consequences he would face if he rushed back and had been taking things slowly. He stated he felt “pretty good” about a return next season, whether it was for training camp in September or by the end of the next season in April, and giving his family a hug after playing his first game back.
Landeskog: “I can’t wait to come out after a game and give my family a big hug”Same Gabe, same ❤️ #GoAvsGo— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) May 23, 2024
Questions then turned to Chris MacFarland, who shed at least a little more light on the Valeri Nichushkin situation. He mentioned battling addiction, and focusing first and foremost on his health off the ice and getting the help he needs. He also stated it was “very disappointing” when he received the news, and it created a major “pit in the stomach.” At this time, there are no grounds for contract termination, and it’s “very plausible he is back with the Avalanche” after his six-month suspension.
“It is very plausible he will be back with the Avalanche”Chris MacFarland on Valeri Nichushkin #GoAvsGo— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) May 23, 2024
Holes must be filled in the roster, and MacFarland touched on it a bit. They’re working on trying to bring back guys like Andrew Cogliano, Jack Johnson, and Jonathan Drouin. At least for the latter of the three, MacFarland said it wouldn't be a challenge to bring him back at this time thanks to the extra cap relief from Nichushkin and Landeskog’s deals.
The Avalanche General Manager also referenced looking at guys with lower AAVs to fill in those holes at this time. They’d look at free agents, waiver wires, and any trades to make it happen. At the same time, he mentioned getting guys like Nikolai Kovalenko, Jean-Luc Foudy, and Sam Malinski “kicking down doors” this summer and preparing to try and earn a roster spot come training camp in September. He also mentioned signing Cal Ritchie to his entry-level contract “soon” and hoping to get him involved in training camp as well.
“Hopefully we get Cal Ritchie signed here soon and bring him into his first NHL Training Camp. We can wait for him to come in and be ready to thrive.”Chris MacFarland on Ritchie’s season and what the future holds #GoAvsGo— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) May 23, 2024
Finally, more injury news, including the bruises and bumps from the Avs playoff run, came to light. Casey Mittelstadt’s hip injury he received in Game Six of the second round against the Dallas Stars doesn’t look to be too pertinent, and Artturi Lehkonen will have offseason shoulder surgery next week, which could hamper his start of training camp. Otherwise, everyone else is looking good to go.
Artturi Lehkonen is having shoulder surgery in the next week, Chris MacFarland said #GoAvsGo— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) May 23, 2024
Overall, there is great news surrounding Landeskog with the announcement of this press conference bringing out the worst hopes from fans - but the captain is going nowhere. Based on his recent progress, he has reason to hope he will be back, but it will be a long summer to see how things continue to progress.
Much of the Nichushkin situation is out of the Avs’ hands, and as MacFarland said, they will be assessing all their options from a business standpoint while helping Val as a human first off the ice. Landeskog did say “he needs to earn back trust” in the locker room for him to be welcomed back with open arms.
Landeskog gets several follow ups on if the team can trust Nichushkin again. He makes it clear the onus is on Val. He’s got to prove it over the next six months. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/hu1KszhTvh— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) May 23, 2024
The summer will be a long one for the Avalanche, and it will be interesting to watch the team make moves to improve. Nonetheless, this press conference was more encouraging, thanks to Landeskog continuing the fight to be back on the roster.
You can rewatch the entire press conference here, during which Landeskog and MacFarland spoke for 50 minutes. In the comments below, let us know what you think of this news and more!
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