GOOD NEWS: Avalanche head coach confims long-awaited return of blockbuster.

Avalanche HC Gives Significant Update on Gabriel Landeskog’s Anticipated Return

One of the big questions for the Colorado Avalanche this summer has been the status of Gabriel Landeskog. While it’s known that Landeskog has been working to return from ongoing knee issues that have sidelined him for the last two seasons, the likelihood of his return was uncertain.

In a recent conversation with NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar shared that the team captain will not be ready to play when the regular season begins in October. However, Landeskog is targeting an early-season return, with Bednar suggesting that this could happen within the first one or two months of the season. The exact timing of his return is still dependent on Landeskog’s progress. The 31-year-old underwent quadriceps surgery during the 2020 playoffs, followed by knee surgeries in March and October 2022. After those procedures failed to fully resolve the injury, Landeskog had cartilage replacement surgery on his knee in May. Late last season, there was speculation that Landeskog might return during the playoffs, but the Avalanche’s second-round elimination by Dallas ended that possibility.

When healthy, Landeskog has been a crucial part of Colorado’s forward lineup. In the 2021-22 season, his last active campaign, he tallied 30 goals and 29 assists in just 51 games, playing a key role on the top line. Over his last four seasons (excluding the two years he missed), Landeskog has amassed 230 points in 232 games. While it may be unrealistic to expect him to return at the same level after such a long absence, his return would at least strengthen the team’s depth and potentially provide a boost to the lower lines.

From a salary-cap perspective, if Landeskog’s return is delayed by at least a month, he would be eligible to start the season on LTIR (Long-Term Injured Reserve). Combined with Valeri Nichushkin’s absence while in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, this would keep Colorado within the salary cap when the season begins. However, if both players return later in the season, the Avalanche could find themselves close to the upper limit of the cap, depending on how they manage their roster in the coming months.

Gabriel Landeskog

In related injury updates, Bednar mentioned that winger Logan O’Connor, who had hip surgery in March, should be ready for the season opener. However, there is less certainty around winger Artturi Lehkonen, who is recovering from shoulder surgery post-playoffs. If Lehkonen isn’t cleared to play by opening night, the Avalanche could start the season without three of their top wingers.