Hopeful News For Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog

He's been set to sit out his second straight full season due to yet another knee surgery, but now it appears that there’s some glimmer of hope that Gabriel Landeskog just might not be done for the year. Two important moves over the past few days might even be construed as indicators that Landeskog just might be back for the Colorado Avalanche in time for this year‘s Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Avs captain has returned to Denver to continue rehabbing from his right knee cartilage transplant that took place last May. He had been doing most of his rehab work in Toronto. And this past weekend, it was learned that he also moved his family back to Colorado, and he’s been around the team on a more regular basis over the past month.

The last time anyone saw Landeskog suited up in a Colorado uniform was when he was hoisting the Stanley Cup back in June 2022. He had come back from his first knee procedure earlier that year to record 22 points and 20 games during that title run, with a plus/minus of +15. From there, however, he missed the entire 2022-23 season due to his second knee surgery, and was expected to miss this entire season as well after undergoing a third surgery on the knee.

The team has been "cautiously optimistic" he could return in time for this year‘s playoffs, but it’s certainly not something that can be counted on. With these latest moves, however, it appears that a return to the ice at some point in the not-too-distant future is still in the offing for the Avalanche captain.

The 31-year-old is signed through the 2028-29 season. “He’s a massive piece for us, obviously on the ice and players like him don’t grow on trees,” said GM  Chris MacFarland after his surgery last year. “He’s a massive piece for our organization in so many ways. We want to help him to get the situation right so that he can resume playing.”

In 11 seasons in Colorado, Landeskog has recorded 248 goals and 323 assists for 571 points in 738 games. He also sports a plus-minus of +77.

Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports