DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche captain, Gabe Landeskog, continues to work diligently on his path to recovery as he aims for a potential return to the ice after enduring significant knee surgery. Since lifting the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche on June 26, 2022, Landeskog has faced considerable challenges, attempting to navigate the road back to hockey.
On May 10, 2023, Landeskog underwent cartilage transplant surgery on his right knee, which marked the beginning of his lengthy rehabilitation process. Almost two years later, the Avalanche have witnessed him actively engaged during practices, showing promising signs of progress. "He’s making strides. Obviously, this rehab is not linear. There’s lots of peaks and valleys in it, and sometimes it’s two steps forward and one step back," remarked Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, emphasizing the complexity of Landeskog's recovery.
Though Landeskog has been skating with the team during non-contact drills, there remains no definitive timeline for his return to the game. The Avalanche currently have him on long-term injured reserve, dealing with his $7 million cap hit. Despite this restriction, Bednar remains optimistic as the team prepares for the playoffs. Landeskog is still hopeful about rejoining his teammates during the 2025 playoffs.
Another hurdle emerged in December 2023, when Landeskog suffered a torn patella tendon, casting doubt on his initial rehabilitation timeline of 12-16 months. This setback was revealed during the second episode of the docuseries, “A Clean Sheet,” which chronicles Landeskog's arduous recovery process. "It’s really hard to say (on a return), but things are going great and it’s certainly nice to have him back on the ice with our team," said Bednar, highlighting the positive energy Landeskog brings to practice.
On March 17, 2025, Landeskog participated significantly more during practice, albeit remaining absent from contact drills. He had not skated with the team since lifting the Cup nearly three seasons ago due to various injuries stemming from the 2020 NHL playoffs, where he initially sustained knee damage during an incident involving his teammate Cale Makar. That injury led to several failed procedures, culminating in the cartilage transplant, which is rare for NHL players.
At 32 years of age and with four years remaining on his contract, Landeskog remains tenacious about his future. He has accumulated 248 goals since the 2011-2012 season, with his most productive season occurring when he tallied 59 points over 2021-2022. His absence has definitely been felt through the Avalanche lineup, which has performed admirably nonetheless, not losing any of their last nine games.
Landeskog's participation at practice has provided not just hope for him and the team but has energized the fanbase as well. Support from outside of the organization has been strong, as many anticipate Landeskog’s return to the ice as potentially one of the most inspiring comebacks in NHL history. The Avalanche’s general manager, Chris MacFarland, hinted at the difficulty of activating Landeskog for the rest of the season, especially with the salary cap constraints post-trade deadline.
With playoff season approaching, the organization remains hopeful. Landeskog's commitment and resilience signal his determination to return, lending optimism to not just the Avalanche's future but also to the franchise’s identity since winning the Cup. Although it has been almost 1,000 days since he last donned the Avalanche jersey, his presence on the ice even for practice is perceived as valuable.
Beyond the statistics, it’s the intangibles Landeskog possesses—a natural leader and motivator for the team. His ability to rally his teammates and inspire them has always made him invaluable, and this period of recovery could only strengthen the bond within the team. Supporters of the Avalanche and hockey fans alike look forward to the day when Landeskog can fully rejoin his teammates on the ice, united once again on their quest for another championship.
