In May, Landeskog had a knee cartilage transplant, a challenging procedure with uncertain recovery prospects. Despite being ruled out for the entire current regular season, the Avalanche are cautiously optimistic about his potential return for the playoffs. No NHL player has returned to play after this surgery, but Landeskog, known for his resilience, might attempt to be the first.
The Avalanche, currently one point behind in the Western Conference and Central Division with 57 points, acknowledge the significance of Landeskog's potential return. His contributions were pivotal during their 2022 Cup run, where he scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists, ranking fourth in points for the team in the playoffs. Beyond his on-ice skills, it's his leadership that has been missed the most. While the team is in a strong position, the hope is that Landeskog's return could further enhance their chances for another championship. This positive development is just the beginning, with optimism for more progress in the coming months.