There are two schools of hindsight bias regarding the Avalanche’s 2023 trade deadline.
First is the notion that if Chris MacFarland and the front office had known Gabriel Landeskog would be out for the year, then they could’ve, would’ve, should’ve made a bigger splash at the deadline to make use of his LTIR salary cap space.
Second is the rebuttal that without absolute confidence in Landeskog returning, it would have been risky, superfluous or even nonsensical to sacrifice more future assets on a win-now mentality. The captain’s out anyway; why spend for a rental?
As for MacFarland himself, he’s not taking the easy excuse that was available to him if he just wanted to appease the “trade for Ryan O’Reilly” crowd. The Avalanche general manager said Sunday that the uncertainty surrounding Landeskog had no effect on how Colorado navigated the deadline, dispelling that first theory.
In fact, he indicated he was starting to get an idea by March 3 where this was headed for Landeskog.
“His situation, we were obviously in the loop. I think there was obviously an unknown component to what he’s dealing with,” MacFarland said. “But there was certainly hope (for a return this season) as we were moving into the fall and late winter. It just became obvious that, at a certain point, it just wasn’t going to make sense for his health. And for us as well.”
Yet somehow six weeks after a passive deadline, the Avs (51-24-7) are Central Division champions entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs as one of the NHL’s hottest teams — without Landeskog or a major deadline acquisition. MacFarland decided that depth center Lars Eller and old friend Jack Johnson would suffice at the time. Depending on lineup decisions, Johnson might not even play Tuesday (8 p.m. MT) when the Avs host the Kraken in Game 1 at Ball Arena.
Not only did the organization choose not to gamble away more draft capital this season, it has prioritized restoration of the prospect pool since the deadline.
“I think we’ve emptied some draft picks and prospects over the last few years, so if we could add to the cupboard in that way, we wanted to do it,” MacFarland said. “… Yes, there’s been a little bit more of an emphasis on it to try and supplement our cupboards.”
The Avalanche signed a collection of college free agents as the NCAA season ended, bringing in Cornell defenseman Sam Malinski, Minnesota State forward Ondrej Pavel and Western Michigan forward Jason Polin for professional tryouts with the Colorado Eagles. Malinski is already excelling with five points in seven games.
“The advantage I guess is they’re a little bit older. They’re 22, 23 years old,” MacFarland said. “As opposed to the kids coming out of the draft. So you’re hopefully looking to get maybe a little bit more of a return quicker, in terms of games played. And if we can find the next Logan O’Connor type, that would be massive for our group.”
No certainties, but MacFarland optimistic about injuries
Aside from Landeskog, the Avs have a chance to start the playoffs as close to full health as they’ve been.
MacFarland is optimistic that forwards Andrew Cogliano and Denis Malgin will both be ready to play in Game 1 against Seattle. Both sustained injuries in the penultimate game of the regular season. Defensemen Josh Manson and Cale Makar are already expected to be back.
“And Darren Helm continues to grind,” MacFarland added last while going over injuries. “So whether he’ll be ready for for Games 1 and 2 at home remains to be determined, but we’re hopeful that we’ll see him as well at some point.”
