Uncertainty surrounding Landeskog, Nichushkin could derail the Colorado Avalanche in 2024-25

The Central is arguably the deepest and toughest division in the NHL, with the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets leading the way. On this Locked On NHL Season Preview Round Table, Ann Kimmel (Locked On Predators), Chris Micieli (Locked On Avalanche), Harrison Lee (Locked On Jets) and Joey Erickson (Locked On Stars) break down the landscape of a Central Division that’s loaded up top, and has some young squads on the rise. Will the Predators’ additions of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault give Nashville enough juice to join the Stars and Avs in the race for first? Can the Avalanche overcome uncertainty surrounding two key players? Will the Stars’ rising wave of youth help replace some key offseason losses? And are the Jets doomed to be the team of these four that drops out of the playoff picture? All that, plus FanDuel points over/unders, offseason additions, breakout players and the biggest threats to derail each of these team’s seasons.
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[@biffdanielson2820]

I predict Kovalenko and Ritchie securing spots in the starting lineup and eventually moving up.

[@bafriesen]

Ann should be happier about her team. I got Nashville either 1 or 2. Avs are a one trick pony, smallest team in NHL (w/out Nichushkin/Landeskog), all offense, very very soft on defense. Dallas and Nashville play styles more relevant to go deep in playoffs so even if the Avs some how eek out central those teams will have the advantage in post season. The Avs GM has lost any sense of balance in the composition of this team. Avs fans are delusional about post season, Mackinnon and Makar can't do it all.

[@qp2044]

Dallas and Colorado have nothing to prove, we know who they are. Winnipeg is also pretty known, even if they regress i don't expect a 20 point swing. Nashville has everything to prove. I actually think they are the most likely to get caught by Utah. Also gabe uncertainty can't hurt the team. He is better than anyone on the 4th line so he can only add to the roster. Val could absolutely be a problem though. If he can't stay clean that is going to put a lot of pressure on landy to return to top line form, and the young guys to punch above their weight.

[@spencerhalsey1427]

What if top three lines are clicking and we just slot Landy and Nuke on fourth with Kovi?

[@qp2044]

​@spencerhalsey1427 I think we have seen that the top line plays really well with val. The second line would benefit a lot from mikko being there. Lehky is great in front of the net, and mitts wants to pass. Vai gives net presence for the top line, and mikko gives the second line the shooter it needs.

[@derronsanchez391]

Avs have too many little guys. Love the Avs but they needed to add some power forwards and strong defensemen. They did neither. It’s going to be a long year.

[@matambale]

FYI: Chris (smartest guy in the virtual room) @3:55, @12:12, @16:24, @21:11, @24:48, @28:34, @33:32
Not sure why I did that, all of the commentary and Ann's emcee work is excellent.

[@zbakorea5372]

Avs fan, but even I know Luke Evangelista has been a prospect for years

[@blackwolf6082]

Digging' the round table format

[@andrew6815]

Hot take but preds drop out, utah replaces them