Gabriel Landeskog’s Road to Recovery
The Avalanche have terminated a conditioning loan for Gabriel Landeskog, and Colorado’s captain will rejoin the roster on Tuesday, the team announced.
Landeskog and his surgically repaired knee — the one that’s caused him to miss nearly three years — took another big step forward by playing in a second straight game for the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League on Saturday. He scored one goal and recorded an assist over his two AHL games.
The Journey Back to Professional Hockey
Before Friday, Landeskog hadn’t played in a professional game since he helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022 because of a knee injury and subsequent surgeries.
“Physically, I feel great,” Landeskog said Friday of his return. “It’s the first game in a long time so I’ve got plenty of things to work on and get better at but, yeah, it was a lot of fun.”
Understanding the Injury
Landeskog’s injury stems from the 2020 “bubble” season when he was sliced above the knee by the skate of Cale Makar in a playoff game against Dallas. Landeskog eventually underwent a cartilage transplant procedure on May 10, 2023, and has been on long-term injured reserve.
The procedure was similar to the one performed on Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball in March 2023. Ball returned to the court for a preseason game in October, which hinted at a possible timeline for Landeskog’s return.
A Documentary Series: “A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog”
Landeskog’s comeback has been the subject of a documentary series called “A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog” that’s airing on TNT and TruTV.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time and envisioning this, and envisioning being in a competitive hockey game again,” Landeskog said. “Obviously, there were times where I didn’t know if that was ever going to happen. So it felt great being in the battle again — on the bench, in the room, on the ice, all the nuances of a hockey game. Really fun being back.”
Postseason and Future Games
The Avalanche enter the postseason as the Central Division’s No. 3 seed and will open on the road against Dallas.
For more information about the upcoming games and the team’s performance, you can find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News.
Related News
If you’re interested in learning more about the Stars-Avalanche series, you can check out the 5 things to know about the series in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Conclusion
Gabriel Landeskog’s journey back to professional hockey is an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication. After nearly three years of recovery, he’s finally back on the ice, and his fans couldn’t be happier. With his return to the Avalanche roster, the team is looking forward to a successful postseason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the nature of Gabriel Landeskog’s injury?
A: Landeskog’s injury was a knee injury that occurred during the 2020 “bubble” season when he was sliced above the knee by the skate of Cale Makar in a playoff game against Dallas.
Q: How long has Gabriel Landeskog been recovering from his injury?
A: Landeskog has been recovering from his injury for nearly three years, undergoing several surgeries, including a cartilage transplant procedure on May 10, 2023.
Q: Is there a documentary series about Gabriel Landeskog’s comeback?
A: Yes, there is a documentary series called “A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog” that’s airing on TNT and TruTV, which follows Landeskog’s journey back to professional hockey.
Q: How is Gabriel Landeskog feeling about his return to hockey?
A: Landeskog has expressed his excitement and joy about being back on the ice, saying “Physically, I feel great” and “it was a lot of fun” to be playing in a competitive hockey game again.
