The Colorado Avalanche will be without team captain Gabriel Landeskog for another season. The 30-year-old Swede underwent another procedure on his right knee on May 10 and has already announced that he will be out for the whole of 2023-24.
Landeskog previously missed all 82 games in the 2022-23 regular season, as well as the Avalanche’s short stay in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
24-year-old Cale Makar, who took home the Norris Trophy as the league’s best back in 2022 and is a finalist for the same award again this year, met the media on Sunday and was then asked what Landeskog’s absence meant – and means – for the Avalanche.
– We had a complete puzzle (when we won), Makar said. When you then remove a big, big piece of the puzzle, it is no longer a complete puzzle. Last season we kept hoping he would come back, whether it was later in the regular season or in the playoffs. Then when it became clear that he wasn’t coming back, our team morale took a hit.
– But now ahead of the coming season, it’s a different situation. The guys know that he is doing everything to get back, which can instead serve as an inspiration. Also, several of the guys are ready to take on bigger leadership roles as we know in advance that he won’t be around next season. It becomes more definite.
[Läs också: Gabriel Landeskog går till botten med rehaben]
The Avalanche’s signing of Ryan Johansen, who joined the club on June 24 in a trade from the Nashville Predators, sees Makar as a step in the right direction.
Johansen accounted for 28 points (12+16) in 55 games for the Predators last season.
– I love the signing, said Makar. He can play center in the second chain but also fill in where he is needed in the lineup. It’s always an advantage when you can bring in a player like him who can play important minutes for you.
The NHL Awards, where Cale Makar goes up against, among others, Erik Karlsson in the battle for the Norris Trophy, will take place on the night of Tuesday, Swedish time, starting at 02.00. The gala is broadcast on Viaplay.
2023-06-26 14:30:43
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