Where Should Gabe Landeskog Want To Sign In 2021 Free Agency?

Where Should Gabe Landeskog Want To Sign In 2021 Free Agency?

Gabe Landeskog could potentially have a big decision ahead of him. We are officially less than 48 hours away from the start of the NHL’s free agency period. Landeskog is a talented winger, a physical presence, and a great leader. There are very few players in the entire NHL who tick as many boxes as the Avalanche captain. All things considered, it is unfortunate that the team and player have reached this point. This story would certainly have a happy ending if Landeskog remains in burgundy and blue for the foreseeable future. After hashing out a deal for future Norris winner Cale Makar, Colorado GM Joe Sakic will undoubtedly shift his attention towards negotiations with Landeskog, but if an agreement cannot be reached, here are three teams that stand out as destinations for the Swedish star.

St. Louis Blues

This would be a tough pill to swallow, to say the least. Seeing your former captain and standout player suit up for a division rival would absolutely result in boos from the crowd in his return to Denver. However, Landeskog and the Blues make sense. If GM Doug Armstrong can find a trade partner for Vladimir Tarasenko, it would not shock me in the slightest to see him go all in for Landeskog. Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly maintains a very good relationship with his former teammate, and a new top line of Landeskog, O’Reilly, and the recently acquired Pavel Buchnevich will signal that St. Louis’ retool is proceeding in the right direction.

New York Islanders

Lou Lamoriello has been opening up cap space this whole offseason, and it is about time he puts it to use. After whiffing on Artemi Panarin in the 2019 free agency, it appears as though he is gearing up once again for a star winger. While Lamoriello and Barry Trotz are on the lookout for good hockey players, they also value high-character guys, and Landeskog has both skill and character coming out of his ears. The Isles also have important free agents that need re-signing, but Lou must be thinking about additions as well. After losing Nick Leddy and Jordan Eberle, some adequate replacements in the top-six forward group and top two defense pairings are needed. Islanders fans must also be excited at the proposition of a Landeskog and Mathew Barzal tandem.

Los Angeles Kings

This is a more unconventional pick but it still makes sense. LA has some cap space to play with and no huge pending free agents. Dustin Brown and Jonathan Quick have big salaries set to expire in the next few years. They have young talent, draft picks, and a few good players remaining from their cup years. Landeskog could be the first big piece of their rebuild. Putting more stars and talent around Landeskog and Kopitar would certainly put the Kings back in the playoffs.

Gabe Landeskog will be a man in demand on Wednesday. I am sure Joe Sakic will be working hard to bring him back and sort their cap situation, but it is not a given. After all, 31 other teams would love to have the Avalanche captain.

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