Avalanche Face Uncertain Future with Landeskog's Injury and Nichushkin's Suspension

Captain Gabriel Landeskog's return remains unclear while Valeri Nichushkin's suspension raises questions about his future with the team.

Gabriel Landeskog is recovering from knee surgery and has no definitive timeline for his return.
Valeri Nichushkin is serving a six-month suspension due to violations of the NHL's player assistance program.
The Avalanche's championship hopes are hindered by the absences of these key players, despite the presence of other stars.
Team management is exploring all options to navigate salary cap challenges caused by these situations.
Both players face personal and professional hurdles that impact the team's strategy moving forward.