Friedman: Colorado Avalanche looking for forward help

[Honour Over Glory]

He can’t practice until then right? I wonder how much runway he’ll need until he’s in game shape

He got back to Denver on the 19th and has been skating and workout on his own since then. He's still in Stage 3 of his Assistance Program, so he's at least gearing up for when he is allowed to come back (I think it was early to mid November).

So if Lehkonen does return on Nov 5th like Bednar stated, then a week or so later Nichushkin is cleared to return, that's a huge boost. At best, Colorado might just want to add a depth forward to put some experience in their top 9 that they can push down when those players start to come back.

Are the Avs still trying to make it seem like Landeskog will return when he most definitely won't?

 

[Cypher]

He got back to Denver on the 19th and has been skating and workout on his own since then. He's still in Stage 3 of his Assistance Program, so he's at least gearing up for when he is allowed to come back (I think it was early to mid November).

So if Lehkonen does return on Nov 5th like Bednar stated, then a week or so later Nichushkin is cleared to return, that's a huge boost. At best, Colorado might just want to add a depth forward to put some experience in their top 9 that they can push down when those players start to come back.

Are the Avs still trying to make it seem like Landeskog will return when he most definitely won't?

Landeskog has said it's not a matter of if he returns, it's a matter of when. Lonzo Ball had the same surgery/issues and he just returned to playing, and Landeskog was like 2-3 months behind his rehab. I've be a nayser of Landeskog ever playing again, but now I'd be shocked if he doesn't return by Christmas.

 

[Hollowmoon]

How about Maccelli from UTAH? They don't know how to use him anyway...

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Landeskog has said it's not a matter of if he returns, it's a matter of when. Lonzo Ball had the same surgery/issues and he just returned to playing, and Landeskog was like 2-3 months behind his rehab. I've be a nayser of Landeskog ever playing again, but now I'd be shocked if he doesn't return by Christmas.

Well for one, Ball and Landeskog's injuries were not similar in the least, one had a sliced cartilage and quadriceps issue that needed surgery and one needed multiple (3 for his knee), the only similar part in this is the cartilage transplant that both had done. Albiet, Lonzo Ball had his done at a younger age for his surgeries vs Landeskog. As a fan of Landy, I gave up hope he'd come back to play, but then seeing the clips of him skating around brought back some of the hope but it's end of October and still no timeline.

This isn't the first time that Lonzo Ball thing has been brought up, cracks me up each time, is it you that keeps doing it?

I understand he's really being cautious with the knee, of which I wouldn't blame him at all, but I recall that skating clip being around June or so. I figured the slow ramp up he talked about would mean he'd be training with the team and gearing to return November, but at this point his joke of "Sometime between September or April," is probably the way to go.

So Lehkonen is returning Nov 5th according to Bednar, Nichushkin can't return until mid November, if they got back Landeskog near the end of November or even December, that'd be huge for that top 9 and then whenever Ross returns, even more help. It'd be pointless for the Avs to really add much more than experienced depth players with low cap hits that can be buried or waived.

Edit: Just to provide you with some better facts...

According to OrthoTexas, it can take up to two years for the transplanted cartilage to fully mature. Recent studies have shown an 85-90% success rate 10-15 years after the surgery.

Once the transplanted cartilage is fully healed, it is expected that it will last the rest of a lifetime.

What is a knee cartilage transplant? Explaining why Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog will miss 2023-24 season | Sporting News

The Avalanche captain also missed the entirety of the 2022-23 NHL season.

www.sportingnews.com

https://x.com/i/web/status/1655949066994589705

It would suck if he returned and injured it more, that'd be it at that point. Ball isn't the best example for this, different sport. Methot would be a better one. Marc was 34 when he got his surgery. Never played again.

 

[Richard88]

Leafs have a forward surplus and a lack of cap space.

Calle Jarnkrok?
David Kampf?
Nick Robertson?
Connor Dewar?

Jarnkrok is an underperformer in the playoffs which is all the Avs care about, so pass.

Kampf is somewhat interesting but the cap would have to work.

 

[BHawk21]

Dvorak? Probably quite unworkable due to his caphit though.


Why would Chicago - a rebuilding team, trade a young player with upside in Reichel?

because he still has value because hes a young player with upside. You would do it for a return that makes sense.

 

[Remparts666]

How about Maccelli from UTAH? They don't know how to use him anyway...

Yes, but he would still be quite expensive. Utah already have plenty of prospects and draft pick so I dont know what Col could give them

 

[miscs75]

Tell Chris to call Lou about Oliver Wahlstrom. Take him for whatever draft pick necessary.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Well for one, Ball and Landeskog's injuries were not similar in the least, one had a sliced cartilage and quadriceps issue that needed surgery and one needed multiple (3 for his knee), the only similar part in this is the cartilage transplant that both had done. Albiet, Lonzo Ball had his done at a younger age for his surgeries vs Landeskog. As a fan of Landy, I gave up hope he'd come back to play, but then seeing the clips of him skating around brought back some of the hope but it's end of October and still no timeline.

This isn't the first time that Lonzo Ball thing has been brought up, cracks me up each time, is it you that keeps doing it?

I understand he's really being cautious with the knee, of which I wouldn't blame him at all, but I recall that skating clip being around June or so. I figured the slow ramp up he talked about would mean he'd be training with the team and gearing to return November, but at this point his joke of "Sometime between September or April," is probably the way to go.

So Lehkonen is returning Nov 5th according to Bednar, Nichushkin can't return until mid November, if they got back Landeskog near the end of November or even December, that'd be huge for that top 9 and then whenever Ross returns, even more help. It'd be pointless for the Avs to really add much more than experienced depth players with low cap hits that can be buried or waived.

Edit: Just to provide you with some better facts...

What is a knee cartilage transplant? Explaining why Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog will miss 2023-24 season | Sporting News

The Avalanche captain also missed the entirety of the 2022-23 NHL season.

www.sportingnews.com

https://x.com/i/web/status/1655949066994589705

It would suck if he returned and injured it more, that'd be it at that point. Ball isn't the best example for this, different sport. Methot would be a better one. Marc was 34 when he got his surgery. Never played again.

Lol, a fan of another team trying to act like they know more about Landys situation then Avs fans. Good stuff.


Will be sure to come back to this post in the next couple of months after Landy returns. What a clown post.

 

[seanlinden]

I feel like this is a "tough" concept to try make trade proposals around, without knowing more about the injuries and projected timelines.

If the Avs are expecting to get all these guys (including Landeskog) back in say, 6 weeks, are they really going to invest much in the way of draft picks for somebody that they have neither the cap nor roster space for?

I feel like they're just going to be watching the waiver wire every day, and likely pick up any forward that gets there.

If looking at trade, I feel like anyone they'd trade for would have to make less than $1m, just so that they're not causing a further issue down the road.

 

[Master P]

Not gonna lie, the salt from Tampa fans towards the Avs is glorious.

It must really hurt to know our best players are straight up better then yours

I mean they’re not but go off I guess?

Not sure what triggered you.

 

[benfranklin]

I mean they’re not but go off I guess?

Not sure what triggered you.

They're not?! I agree that this thread is no place to start a Lightning/Avs battle, but then say yes, ours were better during Covid with masks on and an asterisk. Yours have been better ever since.

 

[Coach Parker]

World War I level of injuries to Colorado's forward group have forced the Avs to seek out additional help says Elliotte.

Current injury list:
- Landeskog: Knee (LTIR)
- Colton: Broken Foot (LTIR)
- Wood: Unknown (2-3 weeks)
- Drouin: Shoulder/Abdominal (Unknown)
- Lehkonen: Shoulder (DTD)
- Nichushkin: Dr. Feelgood (November 13th)

I guess the question is, who is available?

Zacha and Coyle.

I wonder when the Avs move out Landeskog's contract and give the C to Mackinnon. If he is done, Bruins LTIR him.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Zacha and Coyle.

I wonder when the Avs move out Landeskog's contract and give the C to Mackinnon. If he is done, Bruins LTIR him.

Why would Boston do that?

 

[Coach Parker]

Why would Boston do that?

Because their core needs a shake-up and moving one of those two out with the potential of Landeskog possibly playing again sends the message that this current effort is not the Bruins way.

I know it sounds silly but Jacobs and the Bruins have the deep pockets to put him on LTIR and hope he comes back.

Colorado gets the forward help now and an amazing lineup in the playoffs. They also have been more than patient with Landeskog's situation and Nate deserves the C.

While I see Zacha as the better fit, Coyle for me is the Kadri-style C addition that they had such success with in the Cup run.

Colorado gets help now, Boston resets and makes a bold move to their core and gambles on Landeskog's return (and if not has freed up cap space to be more aggressive in the new year).

 

[Mac Attack]

Zacha and Coyle.

I wonder when the Avs move out Landeskog's contract and give the C to Mackinnon. If he is done, Bruins LTIR him.

Dump your overpaid trash somewhere else. We will leave Landy on IR and operate in IR just fine. We literally just need low paid NHL filler to fill the gap until our injured players start filtering back. Currently half of our forwards are AHL players, and not the type that is on the cusp of playing in the NHL either

 

[Coach Parker]

Dump your overpaid trash somewhere else. We will leave Landy on IR and operate in IR just fine. We literally just need low paid NHL filler to fill the gap until our injured players start filtering back. Currently half of our forwards are AHL players, and not the type that is on the cusp of playing in the NHL either

Read this over and then tell me how this isn't a contraction and also the key reason for the OP?

 

[Mrfenn92]

Because their core needs a shake-up and moving one of those two out with the potential of Landeskog possibly playing again sends the message that this current effort is not the Bruins way.

I know it sounds silly but Jacobs and the Bruins have the deep pockets to put him on LTIR and hope he comes back.

Colorado gets the forward help now and an amazing lineup in the playoffs. They also have been more than patient with Landeskog's situation and Nate deserves the C.

While I see Zacha as the better fit, Coyle for me is the Kadri-style C addition that they had such success with in the Cup run.

Colorado gets help now, Boston resets and makes a bold move to their core and gambles on Landeskog's return (and if not has freed up cap space to be more aggressive in the new year).

Then make a trade with another team for a player who is healthy now. No reason for them lock themselves into LTIR long term if unfortunately landeskog can’t come back.

Really makes no sense at all for Boston

 

[Coach Parker]

Then make a trade with another team for a player who is healthy now. No reason for them lock themselves into LTIR long term if unfortunately landeskog can’t come back.

Really makes no sense at all for Boston

I do think that will ultimately be the move, but we are on a message board to chat all options and I find this one interesting to discuss.

I'll post the same on other trade talks regarding one of those two top six Bruins being moved for another talent simply because I believe the Bruins core needs a shake-up and a trade is the best option, even more so than the firing of the coach.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

DOC - 33 points last year. On pace for 27 on a bad Penguins team. Can play center but playing winger. 20 goal pace so far. Can see him score 15 to 20 this year.
Glass - we took him for a 3rd because of the cap. Plays well. Cap hit at 2.5m would probably be the problem
Puljujarvi - Sullivan hates this guy and for under a million he can play on any line. Just don't expect him to finish but he is competing out on that ice surface.


All good depth forwards with expiring deals. Would be looking at picks.