Avalanche Loan Gabriel Landeskog to AHL on Conditioning Stint, Not Expected to Return By Start of NHL Playoffs
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has taken another major step in his long, winding journey back to the National Hockey League.
Landeskog, who hasn’t played a single game since hoisting the Stanley Cup during the 2022 playoffs, was assigned to the organization’s AHL affiliate – the Colorado Eagles – on a conditioning assignment the club announced Wednesday. It’s the closest he’s been to returning to game action in nearly three years.
The 32-year-old forward participated in Wednesday’s practice, but there’s no timetable for when he could suit up in a game with the team. However, the Avalanche hope to provide an update on his status in the next day or two.
“I am not here to judge any part of his journey or any part of his progression, but he jumped right into practice, did all the drills, worked hard,” Eagles coach Aaron Schneekloth said Wednesday. “Looked like a hockey player.”
“I’m sure I’ll get some direction if it comes down to it, if he does get into a game with us. I’m sure I’ll get direction on what he wants and what he feels he needs. But today was a full practice and he participated, and he looked great.”
Colorado’s captain has resided on long-term injured reserve since the start of the 2022-23 season due to a right knee injury caused by a skate laceration from teammate Cale Makar during the ‘20 playoff bubble. He ultimately underwent cartilage transplant surgery in May ‘23 and has been working his way back ever since.
Landeskog was a full participant in the Avalanche’s practice on Mar. 17 and had been travelling with the team over the last several weeks while continuing to skate with his teammates.
“He’s looking good; I thought he looked great in practice today,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said last month. “Obviously, just like sort of the flow-and-go noncontact stuff. Certainly, [it’s] nice to have him out there.”
“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, but he’s still making progress and obviously feeling comfortable enough to come out and join the team with certain drills. So, hopefully that continues and continues to grow and [he’s] working to a point of a return.”
As encouraging as this next step is for Landeskog, the Avalanche aren’t expecting him to return for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which begin next weekend. They’re providing him with as much time as he needs to ramp back up, especially given how much time he’s missed.
If all goes well with his AHL conditioning stint, though, perhaps the Swedish skater could eventually rejoin the Avs on what they hope to be a deep postseason run.
“It’s really hard to say [when he’ll play again], but things are going great and it’s certainly nice to have him back on the ice with our team,” Bednar said. “Just the energy and sort of attitude that he brings to the ice, I think, helps everybody.”
Landeskog, the second-overall selection by Colorado in 2011, has spent his entire career with the franchise, posting 248 goals and 571 points across 738 games. He potted 30 goals and 59 points in 51 contests during his most recent campaign in 2021-22.
The veteran winger – whose eight-year, $56-million contract has four seasons remaining on it after this current one – added 11 goals and 22 points en route to capturing the franchise’s third Stanley Cup championship that summer.
With three games remaining this season, Colorado, which sits third in the Central with 100 points, appears destined for a first-round matchup against the Dallas Stars.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @Hall_Thomas_
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