The St. Louis Blues are preparing to give a "full pitch effort" to sign Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog if he hits free agency later this month, reports NHL.com's Lou Korac.
Earlier this season, both Landeskog and the Avalanche stated they hoped to agree on a long-term extension. Colorado has over $25 million in cap space this offseason, according to Cap Friendly, but general manager Joe Sakic needs to work out new deals with several key players.
In addition to Landeskog, goaltender Philipp Grubauer, an unrestricted free agent, and defenseman Cale Makar, a restricted free agent, are looking to sign new contracts this summer. Both players could command big-ticket deals after seasons in which they were both nominated for awards.
The Blues have about $17.3 million in available funds this offseason but could create $7.5 million in additional space by dealing sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, who reportedly requested a trade. Forwards Mike Hoffman, Tyler Bozak, and Jaden Schwartz are notable UFAs on St. Louis' books, and defenseman Vince Dunn is an RFA.
Landeskog's 52 points this season are the most of any UFA available this year. He's spent his entire 10-year career with the Avalanche since being drafted second overall by the team in 2011 and has posted 512 points in 687 contests. The 28-year-old's last contract paid him $5.57 million per season.
The NHL's free-agency period opens on July 28.
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