June 26, 2022. That is the date the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001. That is also the date Colorado Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog last appeared in a NHL game.
Since that moment, Landeskog has missed the last two NHL seasons’ due to surgeries to his knee.
Landeskog underwent surgery to his knee first in 2022, causing him to miss the 2022-2023 season. Landeskog had hoped to return for the 2023 playoffs, but in April of that year the team announced he would miss the entirety of the playoffs.
A month later in May of 2023, Landeskog had a cartilage transplant in his knee in efforts to repair an issue that stemmed from being sliced from teammate Cale Makars’ skate during the 2020 NHL playoffs. Following the surgery, it was announced that Landeskog would miss the entirety of the 2023-2024 season, his 2nd consecutive year without playing a NHL game.
Now as the 2024-2025 NHL season is just a mere 7 days away, Landeskog will once again not be on the ice with his teammates in their opening night tilt against the Vegas Golden Knights. However, unlike prior years, Landeskog is expecting to rejoin the Avalanche lineup.
At the start of training camp back on September 18th, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was asked about the timeline for Landeskogs’ potential return.
No update on Gabe, I think his situation has been the same for quite some time,” Bednar said. “He’s doing everything he possibly can to get back on the ice and get ready to play. He’s certainly making a lot of big strides. There’s a lot of hope there, and I think that his timeline is when he says he’s ready to go. It’s been the same for a while and he and we are encouraged by the progress he’s made but as far as putting a date on it we won’t do that.”
Whenever Landeskog does return to the Avalanche, it will certainly provide a big boost to the Avalanche.
With Valeri Nichushkin still not available as a result from his 6 month suspension and subsequent placement in Stage III of the NHL/NHLPA players assistance program, the Avalanche will lean on Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen to carry the team offensively. The addition and production of Landeskog will be welcomed.
During the 2021-2022 season, Landeskog scored 30 goals and 59 points despite only playing in 51 games in the regular season. In the playoffs Landeskog was a force again. The Avalanche captain would score 22 points in 20 games, leading the Avs to their first Stanley Cup win in 21 years.
When exactly Landeskog does return to the Avs lineup, no one knows. When asked this past summer when he could return, Landeskog joked ““Between mid-September and the start of April,” Landeskog said with a laugh. “I feel pretty good about it.”
Whether it be next month or April, seeing #92 back on the ice will be a welcomed site for his teammates and fans alike.
In 738 career games all with the Avalanche, Landeskog has totaled 248 goals, 323 assists and 571 points.
