Report Emerges On Landeskog's Potential Return This Season

It's been nearly two years since we've seen Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog in game action, but reports continue to surface suggesting that there's a possibility in the offing of a return for this year's playoff run. The latest update comes from TSN's NHL Insider Chris Johnson:

One thing rival teams have taken note of is that Gabriel Landeskog has become a regular participant on skates in Denver. He's working his way back from a significant knee surgery last May and this has been a really long term process—he hasn't played since the night they won the Cup (June 26, 2022). It hasn't been ruled out whether Landeskog will be back, (but) the avalanche are obviously going to do what's right by him as they have a long-term investment in this player but it's certainly something to keep an ion as we get closer to the playoffs in Colorado looks at bolstering its lineup.

Landeskog had cartilage replacement surgery on his right knee last May knocking him out for this season, after missing the entire 2022-23 campaign as well due to arthroscopic knee surgery.

As Johnston noted, his last time suiting up was when he led the Avs on their 2022 Stanley Cup run, posting 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 20 playoff games. He was also a +15 and played 21 minutes a night. 

The Avalanche are looking for a top-six forward to add to the mix for a playoff run, and while Landeskog's continuing ramp-up won't affect that search by the trade deadline, he could give them another huge boost to the lineup if he's able to make it back sometime this spring. 

In 11 seasons in Colorado, Landeskog has 248 goals, 323 assists and 571 points in 738 games. He also owns a +77 rating and has averaged over 19 minutes of ice time per night.

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