Troubling health update on Gabriel Landeskog

Avalanche star forward Gabriel Landeskog has not played since Colorado won the Stanley Cup in 2022, missing two full seasons while recovering from a severe knee injury that required cartilage transplant in May 2023. In the past months, fans have felt that Landeskog could return while others have been doubting that possibility from the start.

On Thursday, Pierre LeBrun provided an update on Landeskog’s health on Insider Trading on TSN and I have to say it does not sound good:

“The update is that they just don’t know. And you know, he had a surgery in May of 2023 - the kind of knee surgery that no NHL player has ever come back and played from.

"He wants to play. He still intends to come back. The initial timeline, when he had that surgery in May of ’23 was 12-to-16 months.

"Well, last week marked the 18th month. He still hasn’t resumed normal hockey activities with the Colorado Avalanche .
Obviously, everyone is concerned and even if he does return, which again is the hope before the end of the season that he does: Can he be the old Gabriel Landeskog , or will he become a third-line player? Or - and no one wants to see this - is he Nicklas Backstrom , who realizes his body just can’t play at that level? So, a lot of question marks, no answers. But they miss their captain in Colorado.”

Earlier this month, Avs head coach Jared Bednar revealed how it’s “probably fair” to call Landeskog’s situation a “setback” but it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Part of the on-again-off-again recovery process. He’s in constant communication. He’s still hopeful.

Just at the start of the season, Landeskog himself was commenting to fans wondering about his return or possible retirement. When a fan posted posted, “Time to retire, Landy!”, the superstar replied, “Is it though?”

Well now… it might be.

Selected second overall by Colorado in 2011, Landeskog won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie in 2012 and was named to the All-Star Game in 2019. In 738 NHL games, he has recorded 248 goals with 571 points, all with the Avalanche.
His absence has been a big blow to the Avalanche in past seasons and I can’t imagine how hard it would be for everyone involved if he had to retire due to the injury.