Latest news with #GabrielLandeskog
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Why Mikko Rantanen's Play Will Impact Mitch Marner's Free Agency
The 2024-25 season for Avalanche was never short of storylines. They started the season on a four-game losing streak, then recovered by winning five in a row. Just a month into the season, the Avs traded for not one, but two goaltenders in a week span, who both remained on the roster into the postseason. And before the eventual end to their campaign, the playoffs were highlighted by the return of Captain Gabriel Landeskog. Landeskog had not played in a game in nearly three years due to injuries suffered in their 2021 Stanley Cup championship. All of these stories were washed away in Game Seven of their first-round matchup against the Dallas Stars, as Mikko Rantanen got the last laugh against his former club. After being held to just one point in the first four games of the first round matchup between Colorado and Dallas, Rantanen took over the series in the final three games. With three points in Game Five, four points in Game Six, and a hat trick in Game Seven to win the series, Rantanen wound up leading both teams in points for the series. Now, as Rantanen carried that level of play into the second round against the Winnipeg Jets with another hat trick, he has quickly become the best scorer in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But how did a player of Rantanen's caliber end up with the Stars? And better yet, how has he already been signed to a long-term deal before hitting the open market? For those who forgot, Mikko Rantanen started the 2025 season with the Colorado Avalanche, as he had done in each of the last nine years. In that time, Rantanen had won a Stanley Cup, collected 681 career points, and gotten to play on the same line as Nathan MacKinnon. With a looming free agency at the end of the season for Rantanen, there was speculation over the future of the Avs' forward with the team. The biggest question mark for Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland would be forced to sign Rantanen to a bigger contract than MacKinnon's 8-year, $100 million deal that he signed in 2023. Even if MacKinnon did not mind being the second-highest paid player on the team, the contracts of these two forwards and impending free agency for Cale Makar were going to pose issues on the depth of the team. So, MacFarland made the shocking decision to trade Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes, which was as shocking to the winger as it was to the hockey world, according to multiple reports. The trade initially appeared questionable, especially as Rantanen struggled to find his footing in Carolina and hesitated on a contract extension. However, both the Stars and Hurricanes ultimately vindicated the move by advancing further in the playoffs than the Avalanche. Dallas also managed to sign Rantanen following the Trade Deadline acquisition. And at 8-years for $96 million, the contract has already begun to already look like a bargain. This will become especially apparent in the offseason, where Mitch Marner looks to become one of the top-paid forwards in the NHL. After reports that Toronto was discussing a deal with Carolina to exchange the two top-liners, Marner will likely be listening to other team's pitches this summer. And, with a growing trend of players signing long-term extensions before reaching free agency, we have not seen a free agent like Marner hit the open market since Artemi Panarin in 2019. With Rantanen signing ahead of free agency, this leaves Marner's competition in free agency to forwards like Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers, which Marner has a separation of in terms of individual production. But if Rantanen and Marner were to both hit free agency, Rantanen would have likely become the top-paid free agent in NHL history instead of Marner. For one, Rantanen leads Marner in this year's playoff. In 10 games played, Rantanen has 18 points compared to Marner's 12, while also being a larger force in the physical aspects of the playoffs. This is true for their career playoff statistics as well, which has been the knock on Marner in his time with the Maple Leafs. While the two players have a significantly different role for their respective club, and Rantanen's Avalanche have seen more playoff success than Marner's Maple Leafs, these playoff question marks may reduce the total value of Marner's contract, despite compiling 741 regular season points in just 657 games. In fact, even without Rantanen directly on the market this summer, his $12 million average annual value (AAV) could still significantly influence Marner's contract negotiations in free agency. With at least two games remaining in the Maple Leafs' season, Marner still has an opportunity to enhance his market value through strong performance. This is particularly true if he can excel against the Florida Panthers, a team known for its consistently physical style of play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Colorado Avalanche Celebrates Gabriel Landeskog's Bill Masterson Trophy Nomination
It is double the reason to celebrate for the Colorado Avalanche . Not only are they one win away from defeating the Dallas Stars in the NHL Playoffs , but they are also celebrating their star forward, Gabriel Landeskog , in his Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy nomination. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was recently announced that he was one of the three finalists for the trophy, the others being Marc-André Fleury and Sean Monahan . Gabriel Landeskog gets nominated for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy It was announced on Friday that would compete for the trophy along with Fleury from the Minnesota Wild and Monahan from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy is presented annually 'to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.' This comes after the trio received the highest votes from the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). Announcing the nomination on their social media handle, the wrote, 'O Captain! O Captain!' and shared a picture of Landeskog with the text, 'Gabriel Landeskog Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Finalist.' The post soon received positive comments from the fandom. A user wrote, 'Perseverance and dedication to ice hockey.' Another fan wrote, 'Landy is winning.' Landeskog started his career with the Avalanche back in 2011. After one season as a rookie, he was announced as team captain, a move that made him the youngest captain in the history of the NHL at 19 years old. In 2022, he won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. Also Read: On the other hand, has also made his mark after 21 seasons in the NHL. The 40-year-old has announced that this would be his final season, and the NHL fraternity has rallied together to give the icon the farewell he deserves. Sean Monahan has also achieved greatness in the sport and is currently playing with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He finished the season after playing 54 games, with 19 goals and 57 points.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Avalanche React to NHL's Big Gabriel Landeskog Announcement
The Colorado Avalanche are locked in a heated Stanley Cup playoff battle with the Dallas Stars, and they're just one win away from avenging their second-round playoff defeat to their Central Division rivals last postseason. And while Avalanche fans are hyper-focused on Saturday's Game 7, they did have a small reason to celebrate on Friday. Advertisement The NHL announced that team captain and star forward Gabriel Landeskog was one of three finalists along with Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is given annually 'to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.' Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates his goal in the second period against the Dallas Stars at Ball Chenoy-Imagn Images The finalists were the three highest vote-getters from nominations submitted by the local chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). The nomination is big news for Landeskog, who's tallied a goal and four points in four games this postseason after missing the entire 2023 and 2024 regular seasons following cartilage transplant surgery. Advertisement After getting their captain back from his two-year absence, the Avalanche celebrated Landeskog's Masterton nomination with a strong four-word post on social media. 'O Captain! Our Captain!' the Avalanche wrote on X. The five playoff games Landeskog has played this year is his first NHL action in over 1,000 days. He missed the 2022 season after having arthroscopic knee surgery following the 2022 Stanley Cup. Landeskog was only supposed to miss 12 weeks but he ended up being sidelined for the entire year. From 2013 to 2021, Landeskog was one of Colorado's top offensive players. He had two 30-goal seasons and seven 50-point seasons during that span, and he recorded three straight postseasons with double-digit points, including an 11-goal performance during the 2021-22 postseason. Advertisement Related: Matthew Tkachuk Fires Warning Shot Ahead of Panthers-Maple Leafs Series Related: Matthew Tkachuk's Cold-Blooded Message After Panthers End Lightning's Season
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Marc-André Fleury, Gabriel Landeskog, and Sean Monahan: Finalists for the Masterton Trophy 2024-2025
The distinguished Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to a select few players who have displayed great perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship towards the game despite all the odds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This season, three outstanding athletes, Marc-Andre Fleury, Gabriel Landeskog , and Sean Monahan , are being considered for the honor. Their journeys tell a different story of resilience and passion for hockey; hence, they are deserving of nomination for the 2024-25 season. Marc-André Fleury, Gabriel Landeskog, Sean Monahan: The journey of perseverance What is there really to say about a goaltender whose name will forever be inscribed in the annals of hockey history as one of the greatest of all time? At age 40, Fleury was preparing to shut down his career, but the consistency carried through in 2024-25 with Minnesota as 'The Flower' played in 26 games, garnering 14 wins and a shutout with a respectable 2.93 goals against average. Off the ice, Fleury's mentoring of the youngster, Filip Gustavsson, plays a huge role in his growing success as a goaltender. The imprint of his leadership continues to be felt. After three years of recovering from two complicated knee surgeries, Gabriel Landeskog has been cleared to return to the ice in 2024. The first ovation for him after the time he spent away from the rink was during his first game back with the Colorado Avalanche against the Dallas Stars. Though he didn't skate in a few seasons leading into this year, Landeskog's work as a leader never rerouted, instead guiding them through the course of his rehabilitation. Indeed, his recovery, successful return, and playoff ramifications demonstrate much determination and commitment. Alternatively, Sean Monahan's comeback season with the Columbus Blue Jackets is a statement of perseverance. He managed to pick himself up from multiple injuries that had sabotaged past seasons and put himself together with good numbers of 57 points from 54 games. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Monahan's strength was further tested by the loss of his close friend Johnny Gaudreau, who sadly passed away last summer. Nevertheless, Monahan remained a strong contributor on and off the ice and showed his leadership qualities. Also Read: The three finalists are Marc-Andre Fleury, Gabriel Landeskog, and Sean Monahan, and they encompass the spirit of the Masterton Trophy . Their struggles against difficult circumstances have inspired so many fans and their teammates. No matter who takes home my vote, that legacy of perseverance that these players share should serve to remind all of us about the heart and dedication it takes to succeed at such high levels of professional hockey.
Global News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Sean Monahan named Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy finalist, along with Fleury, Landeskog
Sean Monahan of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and forward Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche were named the finalists for the NHL's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Friday. Voting was conducted by the local chapters of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The award is presented annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Fleury posted a 14-9-1 record and 2.93 goals-against average in 26 games this season, his 21st in the NHL. The 40-year-old ranks second all-time in wins (575), games (1,051), starts (1,017) and minutes played (over 60,000). Story continues below advertisement Landeskog capped a long road back when he made his AHL debut April 11 on a conditioning assignment with the Colorado Eagles. The 32-year-old Colorado captain hadn't played since June 26, 2022, due to a serious knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2023-24 season and 2024-25 regular campaign. View image in full screen Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog stretches before the first period of Game 3 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff series against the Dallas Stars Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Denver. AP Photo/David Zalubowski Monahan signed with Columbus on July 1, 2024 to reunite with Johnny Gaudreau after the two were teammates for nine seasons with the Calgary Flames. However, that tragically never transpired as Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed in August when they were struck by a vehicle while cycling. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Monahan tied for third in Blue Jackets scoring with 57 points. 2:00 'He was everything': Gaudreau brothers tearfully mourned at funeral A $2,500 grant from the PHWA is awarded annually to the Bill Masterton Scholarship Fund, based in Bloomington, Minn., in the name of the Masterton Trophy winner. Story continues below advertisement
