Montreal is not on Gabriel Landeskog's list
Despite the Montreal Canadiens' outstanding playoff run in 2021, the Swedish forward and captain of the Colorado Avalanche has made it known which teams might be interested in him should he test the uncompensated free agent market on July 28.
Reported by journalist Andy Strickland, the list issued by Landeskog's agent includes Florida teams such as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues.
According to the latest rumours, Gabriel Landeskog would aim for a salary of between $9 and $10M per season for a seven or eight year deal. The Avalanche would be willing to offer him around $6M per campaign for the next eight years, which is unfortunately not representative of his value.
The consensus is that the Tampa Bay Lightning won't be able to offer him a contract that lives up to their expectations, as they are already $5 million over the salary cap without signing several 2021 players. The only thing that would allow the team to clear enough space would be a trade that sends Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson elsewhere. At the same time, Stamkos is the captain of the Florida team. Let's just say that the Lightning might be the least likely team on this list.
The Florida Panthers have a few players to sign and only $11M left despite the Keith Yandle buyout yesterday. Again, this seems very unlikely. At the same time, the Panthers are a formidable team for the 2021-2022 season. The chances of a long playoff run could have a positive impact. Zito should try to trade Sergei Bobrovsky to free up payroll space. Young goaltender Spencer Knight looks ready to back up Chris Driedger, who was excellent last season.
The Colorado Avalanche's loss to the Golden Knights probably left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Denver captain. Just being able to play on a trio with quality players like Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, William Karlsson and Alex Tuch makes you want to play. The Knights general manager will have to find a way to free up some space under the payroll to bring a guy of Gabriel Landeskog's caliber to Vegas.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to part with players who cost dollars to make room under the salary cap if Kyle Dubas hopes to bring in a veteran with leadership like Gabriel Landeskog. While the chances are not zero, they remain unlikely at this point.
The St. Louis Blues remain the team where the possibility of getting a contract that lives up to his expectations is most likely. Any day now, Vladimir Tarasenko will be traded, no doubt, which will free up a significant amount of space under the salary cap. With a few young players signing for reasonable salaries, there will still be a few million dollars left for a player like Gabriel Landeskog.
The Islanders will also have to trade up if they want to acquire the 28-year-old Swede, who was selected second overall in the 2011 amateur auction behind a certain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. While the Avalanche captain is expected to work out terms with Joe Sakic on a long-term deal, he is trying to increase his value like Phillip Danault is doing now.
What about the Habs? Even if the club isn't on Gabriel Landeskog's roster, they might still be able to offer him a good contract if Phillip Danault ever really tests the uncompensated free-agent market on July 28, 2021. That's part of the possibility, though. If Danault ever leaves Montreal, it will free up space under the salary cap. The player claimed by Seattle will also have an effect, especially if it's Paul Byron. If Jake Allen is traded, there are savings there too. It's becoming more and more likely that Marc Bergevin will offer a hefty sum for an elite forward capable of playing on an NHL top three.
