Landeskog Returns To Team; Starts Skating

Captain Gabriel Landeskog skated for the first time at the Colorado Avalanche practice facility since December 6th. The left wing has yet to play a game this season due to being out with a knee injury. Landeskog had knee surgery last season and was out the six weeks prior to Colorado’s Stanley Cup run. He was vital to the championship run not only in his leadership but in his point production as he had 22 points in the playoffs alone. 

Captain Gabriel Landeskog makes his way out on the ice for the first time since December 6th. #GoAvsGo #Avs @FullPressNHL pic.twitter.com/PX87mz1RKw

• Ep 51: Stanley Cup Playoff Bubble Teams; Connor McDavid On WBC Success

  by Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2023 at 11:54 pm

  Jim and Chris are back and are talking about the playoff races in the East […]

MORE PODCASTS From FPC Network

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) February 20, 2023

It was thought at the beginning of the season that he was only going to miss the preseason. Then, it progressed to even more time out. While in Minnesota on October 18th, Landeskog had surgery on the same knee he had surgery on last season. He has traveled with the team to major events, like to Finland for the Global Series, but never participated in any formal activities on the ice with the team.

Landy is here too. #Avs #Raid22 pic.twitter.com/bbmSXNMkVA

— Eurolanche (@Eurolanche) November 3, 2022

Landeskog has only been seen on the ice at the Avalanche practice facility a couple of times since. He tried to skate slowly and gently on November 30th and December 6th, but then nothing. The team has reported there have been several setbacks in Landeskog’s training. At one point, the captain left the team for Toronto, where his wife’s family is from, and Philadelphia, where he was doing heavy rehabilitation. 

Here is an example of the type of leadership that Landeskog provides with his answer on Media Day in September. Landeskog explains how he knew who was going to get the Stanley Cup first after he did: 

This had to be my favorite part of media day. I got to ask Landeskog and EJ what it felt like to lift the cup #GoAvsGo #Avs pic.twitter.com/jLtbjsyxhv

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) September 22, 2022

Today he spent about thirty minutes on the ice skating very lightly. He did not push too hard or make an effort to go very fast. 

Landeskog is understandably taking it easy as he skates today. He is not pushing anything hard at all.#GoAvsGo #Avs @FullPressNHL pic.twitter.com/X0Q2zPvIPo

— Brennan Vogt (@brennan_vogt) February 20, 2023

During his session, it was apparent that he was coming back from a knee injury. Landeskog could not bend his right leg completely nor could he put much weight on it. When he tried to take a shot, it was way off target when he tried to put the weight on the right leg. As of last night’s media availability, coach Jared Bednar said there is still no timeline for his return. We have heard that he could be back as early as March 15th. The Avalanche may not want to rush Landeskog back, even with all of the injuries that they have all year. This could be an injury that defines the rest of Landeskog’s career.

Around Full Press Hockey

NHL: Four Crucial Areas For Maple Leafs The Rest Of This Regular Season

NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils Trade Targets

NHL: NHL All Star Game Thoughts and Possible Changes

NFL: What Eddie Robinson Told Doug Williams After He Made History 35 Years Ago

Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored

PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly Ep 45: Canucks, Islanders, and The Boston Bruins