Will the Colorado Avalanche make moves before the 2025 trade deadline on March 7? One way or another, we should have a better sense of whether Gabriel Landeskog will return this season. Depending on the length of the contracts of any acquired players, the team may not have a clear answer and could simply be preparing for the worst.
The worst-case scenario for the Avalanche is that Landeskog never returns. After spending two and a half years helping him recover from a devastating knee injury, they must eventually decide when to move on from the hope of his comeback.
Fans continue to support Landeskog, which is understandable. However, neither he nor the team knows for sure if or when he will be able to return to game action—and time isn’t on his side. While the rest of his body may be fresh, “hockey shape” is a different challenge, requiring time to regain speed, physicality, and agility.
The team has changed significantly since Landeskog last played. Nathan MacKinnon remains the core of the forward group, but Landeskog has yet to share the ice with players like Miles Wood and Jonathan Drouin. Meanwhile, Mikko Rantanen was traded to Carolina and could find himself in the Central Division.
There’s no doubt that both Landeskog and the team are committed to making a return happen, but time waits for no one.
The Colorado Avalanche and their current cap space situation
The Avalanche currently have just over $4.7 million in cap space, which gives them some flexibility for minor roster adjustments. However, if they make a trade, that number could effectively increase. As many have speculated, Casey Mittelstadt and his $5.75 million cap hit might be moved, allowing the team to bring in more cost-effective replacements.
Fortunately, Colorado addressed one of its biggest concerns—goaltending—earlier this season. Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood have provided much-needed stability, easing concerns after the struggles of Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen.
The Avalanche find themselves in a tricky cap situation due to injuries, requiring careful navigation. Ideally, they can acquire a player or two who fits their system, comes at a low cost, and has long-term potential. As the trade deadline nears, the picture should become clearer.
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