• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Colorado Avalanche

Avs in Europe: Good For Development?

By Geoff Rosenthal October 22nd, 2012

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Gabriel Landeskog

With no end in sight for the NHL lockout, Avalanche fans may have to get used to seeing some of the team’s marquee players suiting up for European clubs. To date, three Avs – Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene, and Semyon Varlamov – are playing overseas. How are they doing? And will it be good for their development in the long run?

Gabriel Landeskog
Playing For: Djurgarden (Allsvenskan)

Having played for Djurgarden from 2007-2009 (until he came over to North America to play in the CHL), Landeskog has returned to his roots to play in the second-tier Swedish league.  There are some other notable names in the league this season, including LA Kings superstar, Anze Kopitar, the Philadelphia Flyers’ Matt Read, and the Washington Capitals’ top prospect, Filip Forsberg. On the team itself, which was relegated in 2012, Landeskog is joined by fellow NHLer, Douglas Murray.

Thus far, Landeskog has dressed for two games (Djurgarden has played 11), and he currently has two goals and and one assist.

Good For Development? NO

As the reigning Calder Trophy winner, the freshly minted Avalanche captain is only hurt by having to delay the process of racking up NHL experience. The quality of competition in Allsvenskan isn’t up to par with the NHL, and it’s not going to help Landeskog – at this stage in his career – to play against inferior opponents.

Matt Duchene 
Playing For: Frolunda (SEL)

In his first stint in Europe, Duchene finds himself playing in Sweden’s top league for Frolunda, a quarterfinalist last season. With two assists in three games, Duchene did this:

Good For Development? YES

It’s not really arguable that Duchene has been disappointing over the last two NHL seasons. He’s had trouble gelling with linemates, and has been maddeningly inconsistent – both health wise and playing wise. Anything that sparks Duchene to find a new level of creativity or energy to add to his game is a good thing, and the SEL has it’s share of supremely talented players.

Semyon Varlamov 
Playing For: Lokomotiv (KHL)

The Lokomotiv tragedy and Varlamov’s connection to it is heartbreaking, and it came as no real surprise that Varly wanted to play for the team during the lockout. Oddly enough, Varly’s decision means that he is now the current backup to former Avalanche prospect, Vitaly Kolesnik.

Varlamov has played admirably, so far. In six games played, he is 3-1-2 with a 2.25 GAA and a .932 save percentage. Lokomotiv currently sits second in the league with 34 points, trailing only Dynamo, of Alex Ovechkin fame.

Good for Development? YES

Goaltenders need to play, and the KHL is one of Europe’s best leagues in terms of quality. Clearly, Varlamov has been sharp, and this should only be beneficial when (if) NHL play resumes.

  • Tags
  • Gabriel Landeskog
  • Matt Duchene
  • NHL Lockout
  • Semyon Varlamov
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 24th 6:15 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Find Success Against Red Wings

Jan 24th 6:10 PM
Column

Canadiens’ News & Rumours: Hot Start, Armia, Mete & More

Jan 24th 6:00 PM
Column

Senators News & Rumours: Road Trip, Lineups, Stützle & More

Jan 24th 5:50 PM
Other Leagues

Windsor Spitfires’ Notebook: NHL Players to Watch & Overseas Ice

Jan 24th 3:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

3 Takeaways From Canadiens’ 5-2 Win Over Canucks

Jan 24th 3:15 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Michigan, Gushchin & Gordin

Jan 24th 3:05 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers News & Rumors: Chytil, Dubois Traded, Lafreniere & More

Jan 24th 2:55 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Getting the Best of Curtis Lazar

Jan 24th 2:05 PM
New Jersey Devils

Devils Are in Good Hands With Jack Hughes

Jan 24th 1:35 PM
San Jose Sharks

Sharks Seeing Offense From Erik Karlsson But Defense Is Lacking

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information