Avs Mailbag: Will Avalanche name new captain while Gabe Landeskog is out?

Denver Post sports writer Bennett Durando opens up the Avs Mailbag periodically throughout the season. Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.

With Gabe Landeskog out next season, are the Avalanche going to name a new captain for next season? It seems like a no-brainer to elevate Nathan MacKinnon and give Cale Makar that “A” on his sweater.

— Mark, Arvada

I don’t think they’re planning on it. When Landeskog and the team decided in early April that he would miss the 2023 playoffs, general manager Chris MacFarland was steadfast in saying nobody else would assume the title during Landeskog’s absence. The way the Avs see it, keeping the “C” exclusive to Landeskog isn’t a knock on anybody else’s ability to lead; it’s their way of expressing belief in his ability to return to the role eventually. A knee cartilage transplant is a rare surgery for a pro athlete with a grueling rehab process, as I reported this spring. Nothing is guaranteed. So just as there’s a certain symbolism associated with wearing the captain’s patch, there’s an equal significance to nobody wearing it.

This isn’t all that rare, either. There’s usually at least one NHL team with a captain vacancy any given season. Calgary was another example last year. Barring a change of heart, I can’t see another Av wearing the “C” as long as Landeskog is in Denver, even temporarily.

With all the offseason changes and new faces, who do you think will play on the first and second power plays next season?

— David, Denver

Pure speculation here, but I wonder if newcomer Ryan Johansen plays on the top unit instead of either Artturi Lehkonen or Valeri Nichushkin. We can all agree Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are automatic. The reason I think Johansen makes sense is the same reason J.T. Compher was on the ice at the beginning of power plays last season. You want to win the opening faceoff and establish offensive zone possession without wasting any time when a power play unit that talented is on the ice. Johansen gives the Avs a chance to do that even more so than Compher. The former Predator is already Colorado’s top faceoff guy, and I can see him setting up at the net front after taking the draw.

That makes me think Nichushkin gets bumped to the second unit, seeing as he supplies the same style of physicality down low (but more effectively than Johansen). That leaves you with a design of Makar-MacKinnon-Rantanen-Johansen-Lehkonen as the top unit, and Nichushkin plus two elite defensemen on the second unit. The question is: Do the Avs run it back with the three-defenseman PP2 lineup? They’re not afraid to experiment on special teams, so I’m sure you’ll see a few different looks early in the season. But defensemen Bo Byram and Devon Toews are automatic, as is Nichushkin. After that, they have two positions and at least three applicable players. I wouldn’t be surprised if part of the Jonathan Drouin restoration project includes involving him on the power play, where he hasn’t scored a goal the last three seasons. But fellow newcomer Ross Colton would make sense as the second unit faceoff guy. Maybe both of them play, or maybe it’s one of those two plus Sam Girard to keep the unorthodox 3-D look.

What are your thoughts on the new guys we picked up? I’m excited to see if Jonathan Drouin can reinvigorate his career now that he’s re-teaming with Nathan MacKinnon. What about the rest of them? Who do you think may make the biggest impact next year?

— Robert, Parker

Drouin is the most interesting to me, just because of the questions swirling around his career after Montreal and the potential top-six role I can envision the Avalanche giving him, despite a salary near the league minimum. But the front office isn’t holding its breath, desperate for Drouin to be a high-impact player. If he’s not, you move on next summer without breaking a sweat. The new player whose impact or lack thereof could have the greatest bearing on the Avalanche’s future, I think, is Miles Wood. Colorado will start to figure out quickly whether a bottom-six wing was worth a six-year contract. I think his speed and toughness will make him a great fit on a line with Logan O’Connor, but if he’s not, that’s a long-term predicament.

Any word if the Avs are going to bring back those Nordiques uniforms with the new colors on them? Those were fire.

— Adam, Salt Lake City

Not to my knowledge. Those were part of the league’s original “reverse retro” collection, so they were replaced last season by the Colorado state flag jersey. My understanding is that NHL teams won’t be returning to those looks after the season when they’re debuted. All about selling more merch, my friend. (My opinion is well-documented that the Avs should wear their home division game alternate jerseys full-time.)

When are the Avs gonna play an outdoor game at the Broncos’ stadium (preferably vs. the Wild)? Guaranteed the fans pack the house.

— Josh Schroeder, Centennial

Take it up with the NHL. The Avs have played two stadium series games in Colorado the last seven years, so I can’t imagine they’re the NHL’s top priority right now. Happy to give your idea this digitally published platform, though.

I grew up in Canada and have lived in Denver for 30-plus years. My son and I are going to watch the Avs play the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens (my boyhood favourite team) and Ottawa Senators in January 2024. Does the Avs organization or players have access to discount/free tickets that we can take advantage of? We will of course be wearing our Avs sweaters. Also, are there any opportunities to meet the Avs players in between games when they are on the road? 

— Darrell, Denver

I think you’re on your own for tickets. On the road, it depends on whether the Avs are practicing on off days, and if they are, it then depends on whether the home team’s practice facility is open to the public. (Colorado’s is, for instance.) That’ll give you a chance to see players skate somewhat more up-close, but not meet them.

Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.

Source: Read Full Article