Fear not, Colorado Avalanche fans: Gabriel Landeskog hopes to resume his playing career next season.
The announcement that Landeskog and Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland would speak at a press conference Thursday led to some speculation the captain was retiring, but that was not the case.
"I think I'd dress up a bit (if I was announcing my retirement)," Landeskog said to open the presser, sporting a team-issued T-shirt and baseball cap.
Landeskog missed the last two seasons with knee injuries. The forward last played in Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final when the Avalanche won their third-ever championship.
There is still no target for his return, but there is optimism he'll play at some point next season.
"There's no point in me setting a timeline or set even a benchmark. ... You're just setting yourself up to be disappointed and pissed off when it doesn't happen," Landeskog said.
The 31-year-old added, "I've felt really good now for two straight months physically, with no setbacks, minor or major. So that's a real positive."
Landeskog underwent a knee cartilage transplant in May 2023 - a procedure no NHL player has successfully returned from. It was his third knee surgery in a 15-month span.
MacFarland said in September 2023 that he hoped Landeskog would be back for the 2024 playoffs. Landeskog skated with the team for the first time in January but was never cleared to return to game action. He said not being able to play in the postseason was "kind of a slow form of torture."
The Avalanche defeated the Winnipeg Jets in Round 1 but were bounced in Round 2 by the Dallas Stars.
"Mentally, I felt pretty close at times," Landeskog said. "I'm like, 'All right, well, I can do this. I can go out there for a few shifts here and there.' But I think the best decision was made for me to focus on what I was doing throughout the entire playoffs. As hard as it was and as much as I wanted to be out there, it was ultimately the best decision for my health and I think long term for this organization as well."
One of the game's premier power forwards, Landeskog recorded 30 goals and 29 assists in 51 games in 2021-22. He added 22 points in 20 contests during Colorado's Cup run.
The Avalanche selected Landeskog No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft. They made him the youngest captain in NHL history at 19 years old in 2012.
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