The Colorado Avalanche will be without one of their biggest pieces next season. An injury continues to linger. The team announced today that forward Gabriel Landeskog will undergo a cartilage transplant in his knee in the offseason. He is expected to be out for the entirety of the 2023-24 season.
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog will undergo a cartilage transplant in his right knee on May 10. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Brian Cole at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The 30-year-old forward is expected to miss the entire 2023-24 season. pic.twitter.com/bM466EpL3G
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 9, 2023
Gabriel Landeskog to Miss 2023-24 Season
The Gabriel Landeskog injury is a big blow. Landeskog also missed the entirety of the 2022-23 season, undergoing knee surgery in October. At that time, the expectation was that Landeskog would miss twelve weeks. He did continue to have problems throughout the season and did not play in the playoffs.
Landeskog has been a cornerstone of the Avalanche’s offence since being drafted by them in 2011. The Avalanche made him captain in 2012 at 19 years old, and he’s continued to lead the team since then. He has 248 career goals and 323 assists, for a career points total of 571. In the 2021-22 season, he had 30 goals and 29 assists in 51 games. The Swedish player won the Calder Trophy for best rookie in 2012 and led the Avalanche to a Stanley Cup victory in 2022.
What’s Next
The Gabriel Landeskog injury raises questions about the future. It’s hard not to wonder if this is the end of Landeskog’s illustrious career. After missing two full seasons, it will be extremely difficult for the 30-year-old forward to return to play. The Avalanche will need to replace Landeskog’s ability to score and his leadership and attitude in the locker room. They’ll look to alternate captains Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen.
Landeskog’s health issues are also concerning for a team. In addition, health was an issue all season. Makar and MacKinnon both had their fair share of injuries this season. Forward Andrew Cogliano was also recently ruled out indefinitely after suffering a broken neck in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With all the injuries, it may mean Colorado looks very different at the start of next season.
Main Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
