No. Kuemper has had a pretty schizophrenic career. But there’s a much larger sample size with him versus Blackwood. And the guy is a cup winner. Regardless of whether or not he was a big reason for that win or not, in one’s opinion.

Blackwood has never even won a playoff series.

How many organizations would’ve allowed a guy to rehab an injury that nobody ever has come back from? For 3 years in the apex of their cup window? All while not knowing at various points if they would or wouldn’t have that 7 million to spend elsewhere or not?

Most organizations (Vegas immediately comes to mind). Would’ve been trying to coerce the guy into retirement. Or have told him you’re on LTIR for good & if you want to try & play go do it elsewhere.

The garbage take is he stuck with them through the “bad years”. He was always extremely well compensated even when the team wasn’t very good. Getting paid millions to play hockey professionally on a bad team. What a trooper!

Landeskog does not “owe” the Avalanche anything. He stuck with the team during the worst years and played with a severe injury most of us couldn’t walk on to help the team win the Cup. So tired of people rolling out that garbage take.

And Landeskog after missing 3 years needs to prioritize staying healthy & available for the team that paid him 7 million a year to rehab. He owes them. And that’s not a sentiment I often feel, regarding modern sports.