Landeskog 'disappointed' about stalled negotiations with Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has all but confirmed the rumors of a contract impasse.

"I can't help but be honest with you that I'm a little bit disappointed that it's gotten this far and it's had to come to this point," Landeskog said of his negotiations with the Avalanche, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

Landeskog, 28, is set to hit unrestricted free agency on July 28. It was reported Tuesday that his camp and Colorado are "not even close" in contract discussions.

"We'll see what happens," Landeskog said. "I'm still hopeful that we can agree on something and come to terms. But if it was up to me, I would have liked it to be done eight months ago, 10 months ago."

The Avalanche selected Landeskog second overall in the 2011 draft and named him captain at just 19 years old. He has 512 points in 687 games over 10 seasons with Colorado and is coming off the best three-year stretch of his career, which culminated with 52 points in 54 contests this campaign. The rugged winger also added four goals and nine assists in 10 playoff tilts.

But the Avalanche must also re-sign stud restricted free-agent defenseman Cale Makar and Vezina Trophy finalist and unrestricted free-agent goalie Philipp Grubauer. The club has more than $25 million in projected cap space with a roster of only 11 skaters, according to CapFriendly.

Evolving-Hockey projects Landeskog will sign a seven-year deal with an annual cap hit of $8.79 million.

Landeskog will have no shortage of suitors should he test the open market. The St. Louis Blues are reportedly preparing to make a "full-pitch effort" if he hits free agency.

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