Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has not played since the team’s Stanley Cup win in 2022, and general manager Chris MacFarland didn't share encouraging news about his return during Monday's press conference.
Instead, MacFarland all but confirmed that the forward is unlikely to return this season with a future comeback, at any point in time, also in peril.
“He’s grinding,” MacFarland said. “He’s doing everything he can. I didn’t think June 26, 2022, the injury would be three years. There’s no playbook for this. We’ll just continue to chip away at it."
The Avs GM acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Landeskog’s recovery from a right knee injury, stating that while the 32-year-old continues to work toward a comeback, no clear timeline exists, painting a murky future.
“I think you guys can figure out where this is kind of going," MacFarland said. “Hopefully, it’ll keep going well.”
Landeskog underwent a cartilage transplant in May 2023 and remains on long-term injured reserve. He skated for the last time on Jan. 16.
While he has participated in light skating sessions, he has yet to rejoin team practices, which MacFarland does not anticipate changing soon.
MacFarland was noncommittal on whether the captain could return in the playoffs when salary cap restrictions are lifted, but he didn't sound convinced about it.
“There’s a chance—hope,” MacFarland said. “Obviously, I can’t predict the future, but he continues to rehab.
"He’s not practicing with the team yet. I mean, it’s two and a half years and you’re not practicing with the team in early March.”
Despite the uncertainty, MacFarland emphasized that Landeskog remains determined to return to action.
“Everything we do is with the hope that he’s going to play hockey again,” MacFarland said. “The hockey world wants to see it. You want to see him get back out there and see how he can do. I think everybody’s behind him.”
Landeskog himself discussed his possible return before the start of the season when he told The Denver Post’s Corey Masisak on Aug. 21 that his return is "a matter of when, not if."
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