ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Ahead of Thursday’s on-ice training camp, the Avalanche began the 2024-25 season with media day.
It was a bit of a surprise to not see Gabriel Landeskog, but he, understandably so, was one of the main talking points leading into the new season. Head coach Jared Bednar and center Nathan MacKinnon were both very confident that Landeskog would play this season. But the timetable for his return is still not set in stone.
“No update really on Gabe. I think his situation has been the same for quite some time,” Bednar said. “He’s making a lot of big strides. There’s a lot of hope there. It’s kind of been the same for a while.”
Landeskog’s $7 million cap hit is accounted for on the Avs’ books this year, per Puck Pedia. The team does not plan to place him on long-term injury reserve or replace him with the expectation that he’ll be back.
Aside from Landeskog, the main focus ahead of camp was Valeri Nichushkin, who is not eligible to return from his six-month suspension until mid-November at the earliest. Bednar expects to have him back, saying that Nichushkin is doing well and progressing. I found it interesting the number of times that Bednar mentioned how much he feels Nichushkin cares and how great a teammate he is. But, as the coach made clear, time heals all wounds. And the team is open to No. 13 returning once again.
“We’ll welcome him into our team when he’s willing and able to,” defenseman Devon Toews said. “We want him to be happy, healthy, strong, and be a good person.”
The Avs are also expected to start training camp without Artturi Lehkonen. He’s the only other notable injury ahead of the on-ice sessions. Without him or Nichushkin, there will be a lot of opportunities for young players to crack the opening night roster. Bednar plans to give 19-year-old Calum Ritchie an opportunity. But guys like Jean-Luc Foudy, Nikolai Kovalenko and Oskar Olausson are also looking to earn a permanent role.
