NHL Career Ending? Colorado Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog Suffers Significant Setback per Insider

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Chris Gerics
November 7, 2024 (6:43 PM)

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In a bit of very unfortunate news for the Colorado Avalanche, captain Gabriel Landeskog has hit a roadblock on his road to recovery from a serious knee injury.

Gabriel Landeskog has missed the last two seasons after recovering from a major knee operation and needed a cartilage transplant after the 2022 Stanley Cup, and he's been on the mend ever since. There's been zero clue as to his return, and it hasn't looked good in the past.

Unfortunately, the news isn't getting better, as Landeskog has suffered a significant setback in regards to recovery, and his chances of playing this year while possible, is very slim:

Landeskog, drafted 2nd overall by the Avalanche in 2011, has been one of the best players in franchise history since his arrival. Winning the Calder Trophy his rookie year (22G, 30A), he went on a tear; averaging 28 goals and 63 points per 82 games. He was a key part of Colorado's defense as well, often being called upon to kill penalties, and had no problems throwing his 6'1 frame around.

Landeskog ranks among the best in Colorado's franchise history; being 9th all-time in points, 9th in assists, 8th in goals, 6th in games played, 8th in powerplay goals, 5th in game-winning goals, and 5th in shots. Those statistics include the Avalanche as well as the Quebec Nordiques; showing how good he's been since arriving.

The last few seasons have seen names like Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Valeri Nichushkin, and others come in and help the Avalanche try and survive without their captain, and while they have had a great amount of success since Landeskog's injury; it still is a massive blow to the Avalanche as a whole. This season has been a struggle, as Colorado is 6-7-0 and could definitely benefit from a player like Landeskog.

Colorado has done their best without their captain, however his presence is sorely missed. It feels like one step forward and two steps back with Landeskog, and both Avalanche and hockey fans throughout the world are hoping he can make it back on the ice once again, and it's not a case of being forced into early retirement.