Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog continues to work toward a return from the lingering knee injuries that have kept him out of the lineup since the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup win. While the 2024-25 campaign has seen a lot of mixed messaging on his future, Landeskog skated with the team in practice today and was notably more active than he has been in previous attempts to return to the ice, Guerilla Sports’ Jesse Montano relays.
Landeskog has had multiple surgeries on his right knee, the most recent one being a last-resort cartilage transplant in the 2023 off-season. That procedure immediately ruled him out for the entire 2023-24 campaign with hopes he could return for 2024-25.
He began his on-ice rehab from that surgery over a year ago, returning to the ice for the first time in January 2024. Since then, he’s had multiple minor setbacks that have forced him to pause his recovery, including one early this season that nixed his optimism for a return.
Landeskog’s on-and-off participation this season has included a few practices and morning skates. Still, today’s session carried a noticeably higher level of engagement from the Swede than what he’s shown in recent months. The 32-year-old has said in the past his knee issues originated from a minor skate laceration from teammate Cale Makar in the 2020 bubble, which caused more damage to his interior cartilage and ligaments than initially diagnosed.
Of course, he’s still at least weeks away from returning – meaning his only option for a return this season will be in the playoffs. The Avalanche’s deadline activity made clear they’ve ruled out Landeskog for the remainder of the regular season, as his $7MM cap hit staying on long-term injured reserve is necessary for them to remain cap-compliant.
Haha, I thought for a sec that the image of him in the suit and tie holding a stick was his participation in practice.
Let me guess, he will somehow be ready just in time for playoff game 1
Lazy joke for a guy that hasn’t played a game since 2022
That would an excellent strategy and wise use of the cap. Seems that you may believe it to be a bad thing.
He might be. He might not be. But the point remains that he was held out of games because he had a cartilage transplant.
@KIW
It may be legal and also smart, but it doesnt mean its a good thing for the league. Like most, I expect there will be a long look at changes for the next CBA.
Would you want him to get his first ice time in the playoffs? Yikes, I wouldnt.
What’s bad about it?
The cap limit shouldnt disappear in the playoffs.
He might be more of a defensive liability. Doubt he has any speed.
Not an Avs fan but I’d love to see him healthy and back on the ice. I’m pulling for him.
Not an Avs fan, would love to see him back on their payroll.