Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, one of the cornerstone pieces of the franchise's 2022 Stanley Cup victory, continues his journey back to the NHL.
Landeskog has been out since the championship-clinching Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final due to knee cartilage transplant surgery, and his future in the organization and even playing competitive hockey is still up in the air.
Avs head coach Jared Bednar offered a cautiously optimistic update on the forward's injury status on Dec. 13, saying Landeskog was "doing really well right now.”
On Friday, Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period addressed Landeskog’s progress during an appearance on TSN Radio Montreal, acknowledging the Avalanche’s tight-lipped approach but also expressing optimism.
“He keeps skating, so I guess he’s going to try to (return),” Bernstein said. “They’re very, very clandestine on what time frame. They still don’t know what the time frame is, but he keeps going out there, skating with the team.
“I assume he wants to come back.”
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) speaks to the media.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Bernstein's comments align with those from TSN insider Pierre LeBrun, who talked about Landeskog's situation on Nov. 22, saying the forward " wants to play" and "intends to come back."
Adding to his report, Bernstein emphasized that the Avs' current form is giving the team some breathing room and allowing the franchise to avoid rushing Landeskog back for a postseason push.
“That team’s really hot,” Bernstein noted. “They’ve won six straight. They’re 8-2 in their last 10. They don’t need him right now. So, we’ll save him for the playoffs.”
Since he made those comments, the Avalanche have split their last two games.
“As long as he keeps skating and practicing, I assume the reality (of a comeback) exists,” Bernstein said. “I just don’t know how close we are to that reality.”
Colorado has a 25-15-1 record and sits in third position in the Central Division.
