Gabe Landeskog
Left wing, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds
The Avalanche captain was suspended twice for a combined five games and finished with a career-low 20 goals (non-lockout season). His second suspension — stemming from a needless and careless crosscheck to Anaheim defenseman Simon Despres — cost him three games during the playoff push in late March/early April. Bottom line: Landeskog did not have a good season and, as a leader, he must take a good share of the blame for the Avs missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Landeskog, 23, is nearly three years older than Nathan MacKinnon but their young careers have unfolded similarly — in that they’re both top-three overall draft picks and they’ve both been wildly inconsistent since winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL rookie of the year. Much more is expected of Landeskog when he begins his sixth season in the fall. Thirty goals should be the goal every year. He needs to re-prove that he can be a bona fide NHL power forward.
WATCH:
Highlight: Landeskog started strong, producing four goals and six points in his first three games. In Game 2 against Dallas on Oct. 10, he had a season-best four points (two goals).
Lowlight: The Avs won their March 9 game against Anaheim but Landeskog’s crosscheck to Despres’ head cost the team their captain for the next three games.
Future: Landeskog is under contract for the next four seasons at approximately $5.71 million annually. If the Avalanche believes a change in leadership is required, the team will probably trade its captain instead of stripping him of the C. Avs coach Patrick Roy has questioned the leadership of his “core” but excluded Landeskog from that criticism.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or @mikechambers
