Colorado Avalanche Charts Course for Recovery Amidst Tumultuous Off-Season

As the Colorado Avalanche prepares for their upcoming training camp, they face not only a few gaps in their roster but also some frayed relationships that need to be mended. Avalanche’s head coach, Jared Bednar, addressed the media on the brink of the camp Wednesday evening, expressing uncertainty about when team captain Gabriel Landeskog and forward Artturi Lehkonen will be able to return to the rink.

Landeskog and Lehkonen Sidelined, Nichushkin Suspended

Landeskog is on the mend from a knee injury, and Lehkonen is recovering from shoulder surgery. Adding to the roster challenges, forward Val Nichushkin has been suspended until mid-November. Bednar intends to confront these issues head-on with the team, both presently and upon Nichushkin’s return.

Nichushkin’s Suspension and Future with the Avalanche

Nichushkin, the talented Russian forward, was absent for the second consecutive postseason last May due to off-ice issues. Following a suspension of six months without pay and placement in the league’s player assistance program’s third stage, his future with the team remains uncertain. The suspension was announced before Game 4 of the Avalanche’s series against the Dallas Stars, a game that saw them fall behind 3-1 in the second-round series.

Bednar’s Plan: Healing and Growth

Bednar believes in healing and growth, stating, “Time heals all wounds”. He plans to address his team about the importance of effort, attitude, and commitment, especially in light of Nichushkin’s past actions. Nichushkin’s personal struggles complicate matters, but Bednar is confident in his potential for growth and his integral role in the team. Bednar also mentioned the team is awaiting further information from the league regarding Nichushkin’s training schedule.

Nichushkin’s Past and Future

Nichushkin’s sudden departure during the 2023 first-round playoff series against Seattle marked another low point in his career. He missed the final five games of the postseason, contributing to the Avalanche’s series loss. Despite these setbacks, Nichushkin remains under contract with the Avalanche until the 2029-30 season, having signed an eight-year, $49 million contract in 2022.

Hope Amidst the Challenges: Landeskog and Lehkonen’s Return

The Avalanche eagerly anticipates the return of Landeskog, who has missed two consecutive seasons due to a persistent knee injury that required cartilage replacement surgery. His last game was a victorious one, helping the Avalanche secure the Stanley Cup against Tampa Bay in the 2022 finals. Bednar is optimistic about Landeskog’s progress but refrains from setting a definitive return date.

The team is similarly patient with Lehkonen, choosing to give him ample recovery time. As the Avalanche navigates this challenging pre-season, they remain hopeful and committed to supporting their team members and building a stronger future.