Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche (Photo by Quintin_Soloviev, via Wikimedia).
Two days before the expansion draft, the Seattle Kraken has a huge advantage. They get an exclusive two-day window to negotiate with unrestricted free agents. It would be wise to concentrate their efforts on Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.
Colorado selected Landeskog second overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He made an immediate impact, scoring 52 points, including 22 goals, during his rookie season. Maybe more impressive, Landeskog made 222 hits. That’s not something fans would expect out of an 18-year-old kid, let alone one that was drafted so high. Needless to say, that was more than enough to be the NHL Rookie of the Year.
The Avs thought so much of his skill and leadership; they made Landeskog the team captain for his sophomore season. At 19-years-old, he became the second-youngest captain in league history, behind only Sidney Crosby.
Since his arrival 10 seasons ago, Landeskog has 512 points in 687 games. That almost three-quarters of a point per game. Don’t forget about those hits, all 1,320 of them.
Here are some reasons why Landeskog is the right man for the Kraken.
Gabriel Landeskog is a rare talent. He can obviously score. But the 6-1 power forward also rises to the challenge. He’s almost a point-per-game player in the postseason.
It’s not easy to have the will to play as physically as Landeskog does. That’s especially true for a player who’s counted on to score. He’s the guy willing to do the dirty work every team needs.
What gets overlooked about Landeskog is his defense. Five times during his career, the Swede received votes for the Selke Award as the league’s outstanding defensive forward. He’s a rare combination of scoring, power, grit, and defense.
Only two players in league history wore his team’s “C” for nine seasons before turning 30. A young team like the Kraken needs that kind of leadership. A team anchor like him is invaluable. Landeskog can be the Seattle captain for seven or eight years.
In an article earlier this season, NBC Sports predicted Landeskog could get a contract from the Avalanche for seven years and over $49M. That’s a little light unless Colorado thinks they can get a big hometown discount because he’s worth more on the open market.
One reality of the Seattle Kraken situation is that they are the only team that doesn’t have a payroll. They have the money to overpay pay for a franchise cornerstone. If there is one guy to break the bank for, it’s Gabriel Landeskog.
What do you think about the Seattle Kraken going all out for Gabriel Landeskog? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.