BOSTON — There have been some significant “what ifs” in the aftermath of the Avalanche’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2022, but there’s a new one near the top of the list.
What if Gabe Landeskog’s knee hadn’t failed him? What if Valeri Nichushkin’s personal demons hadn’t led to him leaving the team in the playoffs for two straight years? What if the salary cap hadn’t stagnated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The new debate for Avs fans and hockey folks around the world: What if Colorado re-signed Mikko Rantanen?
It will likely take years to determine if the decision to move on was correct.