Colorado Avalanche

Veteran winger Gabriel Landeskog is reportedly interested in several teams if he is unable to come to terms on a new contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

According to Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, St. Louis Blues and Florida Panthers are among the teams on the impending free agent's wish list.

Landeskog, 28, was the No. 2 overall pick by the Avalanche in the 2011 NHL draft, and he has spent his entire 10-year NHL career in Colorado.

The Swedish star figures to be one of the top players available in free agency on the heels of some of the most productive seasons of his career.

In 2018-19, Landeskog set career highs with 34 goals and 41 assists for 75 points over 73 games. He was also named an All-Star for the first and only time in his career to date.

He followed that up with 44 points in 54 games the following season and then experienced another spike in production in 2020-21 with 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points in 54 games.

The 2011-12 Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year has played a significant role in the Avalanche reaching the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, and he is a key leader for the team as well, having been the captain since 2012.

In addition to his leadership, Landeskog is a big-time point producer with 218 goals and 294 assists for 512 points in 687 career regular-season games.

He is also known for being a responsible defensive player with a career rating of plus-50 and a double-digit plus rating in three of the past four seasons.

The Avs have not yet broken through and reached a Stanley Cup Final during Landeskog's career, but they are clearly on the brink after winning the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top regular-season team in 2020-21.

Most of the teams mentioned by Strickland as potential landing spots for Landeskog are among the top organizations in the NHL.

The Lightning are the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions and the Golden Knights have made it to at least the conference finals in three of their four seasons in existence.

The Islanders have reached the conference finals in each of the past two seasons as well, and the Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019.

Toronto has reached the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, losing in the first round each time, although Landeskog could be the type of signing that helps put them over the top.

The Panthers are a team on the rise with back-to-back playoff appearances, and they even finished ahead of the Lightning in the Central Division this season.

Landeskog is a do-everything player that winning teams are built on, and he would be not only a huge gain for whichever team signs him, but a massive loss for the Avs if they are unable to retain him.

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog doesn't sound optimistic about his future with the team as he prepares to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, . 

Speaking to The Athletic's Peter Baugh, Landeskog said he's "a little bit disappointed" with the state of his contract talks with the Avs. 

“The uncertainty is something I’ve never dealt with,” he added. “I’ve always known that come September, October, I’m going to pull on that Avs jersey.”

Colorado is facing several key roster decisions this offseason that could leave Landeskog on the outside looking in. 

On the heels of the Tampa Bay Lightning beating the Montreal Canadiens to win the 2020-21 Stanley Cup on Wednesday, the Colorado Avalanche opened as favorites to win the 2021-22 Stanley Cup.

DraftKings lists the Avalanche as +500 (5-1) favorites to win next season's Stanley Cup, followed by the Vegas Golden Knights at +600 (6-1) and Lightning at +700 (7-1).

With Wednesday's Game 5 win over Montreal, Tampa Bay became the first team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups since the Pittsburgh Penguins won two in a row in 2016 and 2017.

Colorado has been one of the best regular-season teams in the NHL in recent years, reaching the playoffs in each of the past three campaigns.

Last season, the Avs won the Presidents' Trophy given to the team with the most regular-season points, as they went 39-13-4, which was good for 82 points.

After leading the NHL in goals scored with 197, the Avalanche were viewed as strong candidates to go the distance and win the Stanley Cup, but they fell in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season, losing to the Golden Knights in six games.

Despite their playoff shortcomings, there is reason to believe the Avalanche can bounce back and win it all next season, and much of that has to do with the presence of Nathan MacKinnon.

After finishing second in the Hart Trophy voting for NHL MVP in 2019-20, MacKinnon was chosen as a finalist again this season.

In 48 games, MacKinnon racked up 20 goals and 45 assists for 65 points. Colorado also got big-time forward production from Mikko Rantanen (66 points), Gabriel Landeskog (52 points) and Andre Burakovsky (44 points).

Additionally, defenseman Cale Makar was a Norris Trophy finalist after posting 44 points in 44 games and goalie Philipp Grubauer was a Vezina Trophy finalist thanks to his 30-9-1 record, 1.95 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.

Most of the aforementioned players are likely to return next season, although Landeskog and Grubauer will be unrestricted free agents.

The Golden Knights have only been in the NHL for four seasons, but they have achieved unprecedented success, reaching the playoffs all four times.

Vegas went to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season and reached the Conference Finals this year, marking the second consecutive year it made it that far.

Among the key players set to return for the Golden Knights next season are forwards Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson, defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, and goalies Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner.

The Lightning also figure to return largely the same roster, led by Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, Victor Hedman and Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.

If Tampa wins the Stanley Cup again next season, it will become the first team to three-peat since the New York Islanders won four in a row from 1980-83. 

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon spoke after his team lost its fourth straight game to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday en route to a second-round playoff series exit.

"For sure, there's always next year," MacKinnon said when Mike Chambers of the Denver Post asked him about the team's championship window and the 2021-22 season (h/t Ryan O'Halloran of the Denver Post for the transcript):

"It's all we talk about, I feel like. I mean, I'm going on my ninth year next year and haven't won s--t, so I'm definitely motivated and it just sucks losing four in a row to a team and it felt like last year was our first real chance to win and this year, I felt we were the best team in the league. For whatever reason, we just couldn't get it together. I'm sure in training camp next year, we'll dissect things and figure it out and come back better."

MacKinnon: “I’m going into my 9th year next year and haven’t won shit.”#GoAvsGo @CBSDenver pic.twitter.com/FD7nZjD04b

— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) June 11, 2021

The eight-year veteran has had a stellar career and just finished a season that has him in contention for a Hart Trophy, but he has yet to make it past the second round of the NHL playoffs.

Still, he's been nothing short of exceptional, scoring 30 goals in 56 games for an Avs team that won the President's Trophy this year.

Everything that could go wrong did for the Avs in the final four games of their series against the Golden Knights, however. Vegas outscored Colorado 17-8, including a 6-3 win on Thursday.

The Avs' top line, featuring MacKinnon at center, didn't get much going, especially in even-strength situations. The defense and goaltending faltered despite being excellent for much of the year.

This is still a very talented group from top to bottom, however. This year ended in disappointment, but the Avs should be right back in the middle of the playoff picture in 2022.

The NHL announced the three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy Wednesday are Adam Fox of the New York Rangers, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche:

Adam Fox (@NYRangers), Victor Hedman (@TBLightning) and Cale Makar (@Avalanche) are the finalists for the 2020-21 James Norris Memorial Trophy. https://t.co/MQjtrVFd4Q #NHLAwards #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/FxqxhvGRy5

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) June 9, 2021

The award is given to the top defenseman in the league, while the list of finalists includes one former winner and 12-year veteran in Hedman as well as two players (Fox and Makar) excelling in their second seasons in the NHL. 

The winners of all of the year's awards will be announced during the Stanley Cup Semifinals and Stanley Cup Final.

Hedman has easily the best career resume of the finalists, having won the Norris Trophy in 2017-18 and been named a finalist for the fifth straight year. He has also been selected to three All-Star games while he helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup last season, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy in the process.

The 30-year-old finished 2020-21 with 45 points in 54 games while averaging 25:03 on the ice, the second-most of his career.

He will have to beat out younger competition that includes Makar, one of the top prospects in the sport. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft burst onto the scene last year by winning the Calder Trophy, also earning votes for the Norris.

Makar, 22, has kept it up this year with eight goals and 36 assists in 44 games, also finishing plus-17 for the Avalanche.

Fox has even better numbers for the Rangers, leading all defensemen with 42 assists. He added five goals while finishing plus-19 on the year for a team that didn't even make the playoffs.

The 23-year-old is hoping to be the fourth Rangers player to win the Norris Trophy and the first since Brian Leetch in 1996-97.

After going down two games to start the series, the Vegas Golden Knights will head home with the chance to take it.

The Golden Knights used a late rally to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Tuesday to take a 3-2 series lead. 

Mark Stone scored the winner 50 seconds into the extra period to lead the Golden Knights, who have now won the last three games.

The OT winner from the @GoldenKnights 50 seconds into overtime. 👇 #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/bkP2Qq8Mi2

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 9, 2021

The Avalanche led 2-0 heading into the third period but couldn't hold off a late charge from Vegas. 

Overtime. Avs outplay Vegas about 52 out of the first 60 minutes and all they get out of it is overtime

— Adrian Dater (@adater) June 9, 2021

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Notable Performers

• Mark Stone, Golden Knights: game-winning goal
• Alex Tuch, Golden Knights: 1 goal
• Jonathan Marchessault, Golden Knights: 1 goal

• Brandon Saad, Avalanche: 1 goal
• Joonas Donskoi, Avalanche: 1 goal

• Marc-Andre Fleury, Golden Knights: 28 saves

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Avs Have Much-Needed Hot Start 

The Avalanche have struggled to get pucks on net since coming away with their first two wins in the series. Entering Tuesday, they were outshot by Vegas 110-52 dating back to the first period of Game 2, according to Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com.  

Head coach Jared Bednar split up his top line, moving Brandon Saad up to skate alongside Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen in place of Gabriel Landeskog—a move that paid off. 

Saad put Colorado on the board in the final seconds of the first period. 

Top line Saad with a top-tier goal 🤩#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/G7XiEo1eY1

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 9, 2021

The goal was a major boost to a top line that had been shuttered as of late.

That was the first line's first 5-on-5 goal since the second period of Game 1, and it came from Brandon Saad, who just got moved up to the top line today.

— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) June 9, 2021

The shot totals were even at 10-10, but the Avalanche had a renewed energy heading into Game 5. That was clear in the number of takeaways they had—totaling eight by the time the horn sounded. In contrast, they had five takeaways in the entirety of Game 4, when they fell 5-1. 

They carried that momentum into the second frame, and Joonas Donskoi doubled the lead as the Avalanche tacked on 13 more shots in the frame. 

Slowly but surely, we're figuring out Fluery 🚨#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/gbazrBRMD8

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 9, 2021

But their game wasn't nearly as smooth to start the third, as a pair of turnovers led to a pair of goals for Vegas, and an inability to overcome it sent the game to overtime. 

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Golden Knights Rally Late 

After one, the scoreboard wasn't reflective of what was an even first period in Denver. Vegas, which overpowered Colorado with its shooting in the past two games, ended up matching the Avs' shot total in the frame after getting decimated early. 

And even though the period was punctuated by a goal for the Avalanche, Vegas had begun to battle back after a hot opening from Colorado: 

Here's a graph on the shot attempts differential in the first period, per @NatStatTrick.

Avalanche started well, then Knights started to push back. We'll see if the trend carries over into the second. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/kUYDbRZAvs

— Ben Gotz (@BenSGotz) June 9, 2021

It didn't hold for Vegas, as the Knights only got five shots off in the second period compared to 13 from the Avalanche. 

Whatever head coach Pete DeBoer said in the locker room in between periods clearly made a difference, as Alex Tuch got one on the board for Vegas just 63 seconds into the period. 

2-1

63 seconds into the third period and the @GoldenKnights score! #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/BvoqTzgzFl

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 9, 2021

And just three minutes later, Marchessault potted the equalizer. 

us ignoring all the negative vibes from the last two periods and just playing hockey

— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 9, 2021

TIE GAME.@GoldenKnights | #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/NFuI8eSfE3

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 9, 2021

After a dominant performance in the games preceding Tuesday's Game 5, the Golden Knights managed a late rally to keep themselves in it, and that momentum could be dangerous in what's left of this series. 

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What's Next?

Game 6 will be played in Las Vegas on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.

The Colorado Avalanche just keep rolling.

After sweeping the St. Louis Blues in the first round and destroying the Vegas Golden Knights by six goals in Game 1 of their second-round series, the Avalanche pushed their lead to 2-0 over their West Division rivals with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory in Wednesday's Game 2 at Ball Arena.

MIKKO

GAME WINNER

THANK YOU#GOAVSGO pic.twitter.com/lxFTED6xbh

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 3, 2021

Mikko Rantanen scored the winning goal after goaltender Philipp Grubauer led the way for much of the game.

The return of Marc-Andre Fleury in between the pipes wasn't enough for the Golden Knights, who will look to turn things around on home ice.

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Notable Player Stats

• Philipp Grubauer, G, COL: 39-of-41 shots saved
• Mikko Rantanen, RW, COL: Game-winning goal
• Samuel Girard, D, COL: 2 AST
• Marc-Andre Fleury, G, VGK: 22-of-25 shots saved
• Shea Theodore, D, VGK: 2 AST

---

Philipp Grubauer Shines Before OT Goal

The scariest thing in the NHL at this point is Colorado's attack, and whether Vegas could at least contain it was one of the biggest storylines coming into Wednesday's game.

After all, it scored 5.4 goals per game in its first five postseason wins and poured in seven in the opening victory over the Golden Knights. The offense has been so dominant that it has largely overshadowed Vezina finalist Grubauer, who was largely dialed in during those first five wins.

It was more of the same right from the start in Game 2, as Colorado's speed and skill overwhelmed Vegas and created four power-play opportunities in the first period alone.

Right out the gate the @Avalanche get on the board! #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: https://t.co/qXGJiclR23 @NHLonNBCSports
🇨🇦: https://t.co/94Ynh2bwwz @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/BhGU879KCV

— NHL (@NHL) June 3, 2021

Those @Avalanche know how to score. #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: https://t.co/z7kmxe03l0 @NHLonNBCSports
🇨🇦: https://t.co/CDtZ3a039Q @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/Qd7ZkRHeNL

— NHL (@NHL) June 3, 2021

Philipp Grubauer is just ON HIS HEAD OUT THERE.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/YojOGKZ6Iz

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 3, 2021

Grubi highlights, because, Grubi highlights.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/JlRAgSJsMV

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 3, 2021

We are incredibly not sorry for how much Grubauer content because HOLY GOALIE!!!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/EgSqnhE8iT

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 3, 2021

Brandon Saad and Tyson Jost found the back of the net in that opening 20 minutes with the latter goal coming on one of those power plays. To the visitors' credit, though, that didn't portend another blowout, as they finally slowed the Avalanche's daunting attack through the second period and put some of the pressure on Grubauer.

A tie game in the third period with a seemingly in-control Vegas slowing Colorado's offense and getting involved on the other end of the ice is the first time Grubauer has faced extensive pressure this postseason.

He responded beautifully to it and—with plenty of help from the post—kept the Avalanche in the game and forced overtime despite the Golden Knights' massive 41-25 advantage in shots.

That was all the Avalanche needed, and they fittingly took advantage of yet another power play when Rantanen buried a shot in overtime.

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Missed Opportunities Cost Vegas

The only hope for Vegas coming out of Game 1 was the fact that Fleury didn't play and could swing the momentum of the series with one vintage performance.

Unfortunately for the visitors, it was hard to feel confident after the Vezina finalist gave up a goal to Saad through the 5-hole within the first four minutes. It didn't help that the team in front of him looked lost at the start and committed four penalties before the first period ended.

Even when Alec Martinez scored a power-play goal for the Golden Knights, the momentum was short-lived as Colorado took advantage of one of those power-play chances to retake the lead before the first period ended.

*ke$ha voice*

WARRIOR-IOR-IOR 🚨 pic.twitter.com/YvA3OVwKMW

— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 3, 2021

Backhand 🧀. Another day at the office for @reillysmith18. #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: https://t.co/S0DNjR62hH @NHLonNBCSports
🇨🇦: https://t.co/ENh4d0lDgt @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/hoy1Tdnfed

— NHL (@NHL) June 3, 2021

TW😡 P🤬STS

— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 3, 2021

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 3, 2021

Then the second and third periods happened.

For the first time in the entire series, Vegas started to dictate play and establish a forecheck and consistent attack. The result was a game-tying goal from Reilly Smith in the second period and a dominant third period that gave the Golden Knights all the momentum heading into overtime even though they were surely thinking about all their shots that hit the post.

Fleury also deserved plenty of credit for silencing Colorado for multiple periods while Vegas flipped the momentum, which stood in stark contrast to Robin Lehner's Game 1 showing.

Still, the inability to fully capitalize when they controlled the majority of the game proved to be the Golden Knights' undoing. Missed breakaways and shots ringing off posts were the story of the evening for the visitors, and they took one too many penalties by the time the game ended.

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What's Next?

The series shifts to Las Vegas for Friday's Game 3.

The NHL issued Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves a two-game suspension for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct following his actions against Colorado Avalanche defender Ryan Graves in Game 1 of the series on Sunday.

Graves was tossed to the ice, and Reaves later admitted to officials that he pulled hair out of the victim while he was on the ground, a report the official corroborated (h/t Jesse Granger of The Athletic). 

The incident occurred in the third period with the Golden Knights down 7-1. 

With the penalties against Reaves—which added up to a match penalty, a five-minute major and a double minor for roughing—as well as 10-minute misconducts handed out to four separate players following an ensuing brawl, the Avalanche went on a nine-minute power play. 

Box score was later updated to include even *more* penalties because, of course. pic.twitter.com/YIIvnFb1sq

— Alison (@AlisonL) May 31, 2021

The announcement came after Reaves had a hearing with the league's Department of Player Safety on Monday, and after he avoided further discipline following a tough hit on Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter in Game 7 of the first-round series. 

He was suspended during last year's postseason run, missing the first game of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars, after he was called for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver's Tyler Motte in Game 7. 

Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer defended Reaves after the game, calling him "one of the cleanest tough guys" in the league, while Avalanche coach Jared Bednar had a different opinion of the situation.

"Graves is down in a vulnerable position, and he just stays on top of him and obviously hits him," Bednar told reporters. "So I didn't like the play. But [DeBoer] knows his player. I guess I don't think that [Reaves] is out there trying to injure people on purpose. He's just got a ruggedness to his game."

Game 2—without Reaves—is slated for Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET. 

Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri's eight-game suspension for a high hit on St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 of the first-round series between the teams was upheld Monday by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, per ESPN.com.

The appeal process is not over, however. Per that report, "The NHL Players Association has filed another appeal on Kadri's behalf to a neutral arbitrator. Shyam Das will serve as the arbitrator, the NHLPA told ESPN's Emily Kaplan. Kadri will remain suspended during the appeal process."

Kadri has already missed the last two games of Colorado's sweep of the Blues and the team's 7-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the second round on Sunday. 

His hit was deemed to be a "high, forceful check," and he was given a five-minute major and ejected. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZFS28IU9o?

Faulk didn't return to that game and didn't play again in the series.

"That's a very dangerous hit. It's gotta be a suspension," Blues captain Ryan O'Reilly told reporters. "He's a repeat offender. It's completely uncalled for. That's awful to see."

"The guy can't control himself," Blues center Brayden Schenn added. "In the playoffs, he's a repeat offender. Bad hits, greasy hits—he had a guy in a vulnerable position and he picked nothing but the head."

The NHL clearly factored Kadri's past into its ruling, calling him "a player with a substantial disciplinary record." He's been suspended six times in his 12-year career, including three times in the postseason. 

Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has been suspended eight games for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk in Game 2 of their first-round postseason matchup.

It's the sixth suspension for Kadri in his past 704 games. Faulk, meanwhile, did not return to play in Game 2 and was unavailable for Game 3 on Friday. St. Louis head coach Craig Berube has not ruled out the defenseman for the remainder of the series, but he remains questionable going forward.

Colorado’s Nazem Kadri has been suspended for eight games for an Illegal Check to the Head on St. Louis’ Justin Faulk. https://t.co/5rg2ZPVm5P

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 22, 2021

The Avs hold a 2-0 series lead pending Friday's result.

Even before the NHL's ruling, Blues captain Ryan O'Reilly said a suspension was necessary given Kadri's past.

"That's a very dangerous hit," O'Reilly told reporters. "It's gotta be a suspension. He's a repeat offender. It's completely uncalled for. That's awful to see."

According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, the league's Department of Player Safety offered an in-person hearing—conducted via zoom—before a ruling was announced. That gave the league the ability to suspend Kadri for at least five games.

Kadri initially received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct, removing him from play in the third period of a 6-3 victory.

"The guy can't control himself," Blues center Brayden Schenn said. "In the playoffs, he's a repeat offender. Bad hits, greasy hits—he had a guy in a vulnerable position, and he picked nothing but the head."

The Department of Player Safety factors in repeat offender status into its discipline. Here's Nazem Kadri's history of fines/suspensions pic.twitter.com/klhzE35S7Z

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) April 14, 2019

Kadri last served a suspension in the postseason as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019, missing five games of his club's first-round series against the Boston Bruins for a cross-check on Jake DeBrusk.