Landeskog, Avs indeed are “far apart”

The other day I started the ball rolling on the story of Gabe Landeskog and Avs not quite seeing eye to eye just yet on a new contract. Other media kept it going with stories that, no, they weren’t too close at all to a deal yet.

In doubling back with my sources last night, I’m told the sides are indeed “far apart.” The clock is ticking, too, with just 13 days until NHL free agency opens. I don’t know what the gulf is between the sides is as far as money or term. But when I hear “far apart” I’ve got to think…well, who knows? I was going to say a million or more per year apart, but who knows.

The only thistle of optimism I see is that the talks apparently have not broken off, that there is, from what I could gather, more dialogue planned.

Also, as some astute readers have pointed out, Mikko Rantanen and the Avs were said to be “far apart” right before training camp a couple years ago, only for the sides to agree on a six-year deal with a $9.25 cap hit.

The difference there, though? Rantanen was a restricted free agent. He wasn’t going to any new team, no matter what, for free. Landeskog is UFA and can start taking any offer from any team in 13 days.

The clock is ticking…