In a significant blow to the Colorado Avalanche, team captain Gabriel Landeskog will miss the entire 2023-24 NHL season to undergo cartilage transplant surgery on his right knee. The 30-year-old winger, who was drafted second overall in 2011, has had a successful career with the Avalanche, playing in 738 regular-season games and amassing 571 points. Landeskog’s leadership and skill were instrumental in the team’s 2021-2022 Stanley Cup victory.
Since his knee injury, Landeskog has been unable to play, and it is assumed that the team and medical staff explored other options before settling on the cartilage transplant surgery. The procedure is known to be challenging, with a difficult rehabilitation process. Former NHL player Marc Methot, who underwent the same surgery, shared his experience and well-wishes for Landeskog.
“I had the same surgery performed on my left knee. It’s a brutal rehab process and mine never recovered to a point that made skating at the NHL level possible. However, I do wish him well and hopefully he gets back to playing,” said Methot.
As the Avalanche face the upcoming season without their captain, fans and fellow players hope for a successful recovery and eventual return to the ice for Gabriel Landeskog. His absence will undoubtedly impact the team, it was already felt by the team in the 2023 playoffs, where the Avalanche crashed out in the first round against the Seattle Kraken.
