Aarif Deen
When the Colorado Avalanche needed to close out the final minute of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, head coach Jared Bednar sent out his trusted second line. It was Nazem Kadri at center, with Valeri Nichushkin and Gabe Landeskog on his wings.
That trio often played behind the Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Artturi Lehkonen line and was as valuable offensively as it was defensively. You can’t win a championship without star power and depth, and Colorado had both.
Cale Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy, and both MacKinnon and Rantanen averaged more than a point per game.
But when you look at the rest of the roster, the other key contributors start with that second line.
Following that night, Nazem Kadri departed in free agency after pricing himself out of Colorado’s range. Landeskog didn’t play for nearly three full calendar years. Nichushkin remained with the club, but multiple stints in rehab made him an unreliable presence.
At times, it felt like neither player would suit up for the Avalanche again.
But somehow, general manager Chris MacFarland navigated a tight salary cap, stayed patient with Nichushkin and Landeskog throughout, and now all three are back with the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2022.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I think all three of those guys are really, really important,” MacFarland said. “They have big roles on our team, they have the trust of their teammates, our coaches, and the organization, and obviously, different circumstances with each of those guys.”
The playoffs began with Landeskog on the wing with Kadri, but that didn’t last. Kadri was reunited with Nichushkin late in the Minnesota series, and the duo remained together during Tuesday’s practice. Ross Colton filled the third spot on the line.
“You start with Val, we all know what happened to him, but I can tell you honestly, there was never a doubt. You’ve got to stand behind your players when they’re going through a tough time, and Val went through a tough time,” MacFarland said. “I’m super proud, and I know Bedsy is and the organization is.
“He’s a human being, he’s a father, and he’s a damn good hockey player. We’re super happy that he’s in a good place and still contributing to the success of the team.”
Meanwhile, Landeskog has settled into top-line minutes with MacKinnon and Martin Necas. Since returning, he hasn’t missed a game because of his knee and has found a way to handle a demanding role.
“Obviously, Gabe’s story has been super well-documented,” MacFarland said. “But for us over the three years, it was challenging. It was will he be able to, won’t he be able to. But what was never in doubt was that he deserved the chance to see it through, and we were gonna back him on that.”
MacKinnon leads the Avalanche in goals (seven) and points (13) this postseason. Landeskog, Kadri, and Nichushkin have eight, six, and three points, respectively. All three are averaging well over 15 minutes per game and contributing across special teams and at five-on-five.
Kadri and Landeskog each have four points on the power play. MacKinnon’s chemistry with them on the man-advantage looks a lot like it did four years ago.
“It’s everything. I mean, Naz is our 3C right now, which is crazy,” MacKinnon said. “It felt like we were robbed a little bit after we won. Obviously, Gabe being hurt, and the flat cap, we couldn’t keep Naz. And the guys out in the playoffs sometimes.
“I know our recent playoff success hasn’t been that great, but I think there are some circumstances for that, and we’ve got some really amazing center depth. Landy being back, we’re back in the conference final. Definitely really proud of that. It’s only our second conference final in like 15 years, so it’s really hard to get here, and we’re happy to be back.”