HIGHLIGHTS
- Gabriel Landeskog hasn’t played in the NHL since 2022
- However, he’s taken a major step towards a return
- Read below for the latest on the Colorado Avalanche star
Gabriel Landeskog has been a major piece of the Colorado Avalanche ever since they drafted him and he played a huge part in helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Unfortunately, the Swede hasn’t suited up since then due to non-stop knee injuries.
But, it appears Landeskog is finally taking a step towards potentially returning. The forward has been assigned to the Avs’ AHL affiliate, putting him in line to play his first game in nearly three years, per ESPN’s Kristen Shilton.
Landeskog had surgery on his knee in May of 2023. The operation is often deemed career-ending, but he didn’t let it deter him. The former first-round pick has practiced at times with the Avalanche this season, and this latest update is fantastic news for Landeskog and Colorado, who are considered a Cup contender.
When healthy, Landeskog was one of their best players. In 2021-22, he had 30 goals and 29 assists while also tallying 22 points in the playoffs that year. He’s netted at least 25 goals in eight of his 11 seasons in the NHL.
The Colorado Eagles, who are the Avalanche’s AHL team, have five games left in their season, and Landeskog is allowed to play in three. This next step is promising, but it all depends on how his knee responds to being in a live game.
The Avalanche is fifth in the league in scoring with 3.34 goals per contest. Nathan MacKinnon is having another monster campaign with 32 goals and 94 assists, while Cale Makar, Max Necas, Brock Nelson, and Artturi Lehkonen are all consistent producers as well.
That being said, adding Landeskog to an already talented group in the playoffs would certainly help in their pursuit of another Stanley Cup.
