DENVER — The possibility that Gabriel Landeskog, captain of the Colorado Avalanche, may not appear in a third consecutive regular season is becoming more apparent.
What remains uncertain, however, is whether he will be fit enough to participate in the playoffs — or even return to play at all.
Landeskog has been sidelined since June 26, 2022, due to a recurring right knee ailment, despite being a pivotal player when the Avalanche clinched the Stanley Cup in a hard-fought Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Following a cartilage transplant on May 10, 2023, he’s been on the long-term injured reserve list.
“He’s pushing forward and doing all he can. I didn’t foresee this lasting since June 26, 2022,” mentioned Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland on Monday, discussing a recent trade bringing in Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey from the New York Rangers. “There’s no set manual for handling this. We’ll keep navigating it.”
Similarly, Chicago Bulls’ Lonzo Ball, who underwent a cartilage transplant in March 2023, made a return in a preseason game this October, offering a hopeful timeline for Landeskog’s return.
Despite seeing Landeskog occasionally participating in light skating and puck-handling exercises, he has not resumed regular practice sessions with the team as they prepare for the playoffs. MacFarland doesn’t foresee a change in this status soon.
“I think you can infer where this situation might lead,” MacFarland said. “We hope progress continues positively.”
MacFarland remains hopeful, maintaining that both the current and future prospects for Landeskog are not yet closed.
“There is a possibility,” he remarked. “Though predicting the future is always tricky, his rehabilitation continues.
“He’s a phenomenal hockey talent. Imagining how he’s handled these challenges daily is hard… I genuinely wish for him to make a return.”
Drafted as the second overall pick by the Avalanche in 2011, Landeskog’s franchise contributions remain significant, ranking within the top-10 in goals (248), assists (323), games played (738), blocked shots (534), and hits (1,464) despite missing three seasons.
The 32-year-old has spent 13 seasons as the captain of the Avalanche, placing him third in tenure as captain in the NHL after Sidney Crosby (18 seasons) and Alex Ovechkin (16 seasons).
With Landeskog on LTIR, Colorado can utilize the $7 million of his salary cap space to potentially execute strategic moves ahead of the trade deadline this Friday.
Looking forward, Landeskog is under contract for four more seasons under an 8-year, $56 million deal inked in 2021.
“Every decision factors with the hope that he plays again,” MacFarland concluded. “The hockey community is eager to witness his return. Seeing him out on the ice, performing again is something everyone looks forward to.”
