One of the Colorado Avalanche’s goals was to have forward Gabriel Landeskog re-signed to a vital contract extension as the offseason progresses. The season did not end the way the team wanted it to, but they will go for it once more with one of the franchise’s most iconic players. The deal is for eight years and $56 million (7 million AAV). The deal was announced about 40 minutes before the deadline to sign an eight-year deal at midnight EST.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1420226637145255941
Colorado Avalanche Have Re-Signed Forward Gabriel Landeskog
It was another great campaign from the Avalanche captain. The 28-year-old Swede posted 20 goals and 52 points in 54 games along with 81 hits. The point-per-game rate was the second-highest of Landeskog’s career after he scored at a rate of 1.03 ppg in 2018-19. He also had incredible possession metrics with a very nice 69 percent Corsi For in all situations and a 16.3 Relative Corsi. Some of that is a result of his zone starts coming on offence 75 percent of the time. But, it is hard to say he isn’t still a great player on a great team.
The Avs originally drafted Landeskog second overall in the 2011 Draft and have never regretted that decision. His 218 career goals are sixth in franchise history and 512 career points is good for eighth best. He is already in the top 10 for most offensive categories, so this latest deal may get him close to the top 5. That is as far as he likely gets as Joe Sakic holds the top slot for almost everything.
What This Means
Expect Landeskog to retire as an Av after this extension. Some might question investing so heavily into someone about to reach 30 in the future when the farm system is as strong as Colorado’s. However, few players in the organization can offer what he brings to the ice. Not only is he a vital component during games; he is also an emotional leader having been the team captain almost immediately after being drafted. Keeping him as part of the core makes too much sense even when you consider the size of the contract.
Main Photo:
