Landeskog loaned to Colorado Eagles on conditioning assignment
The move does not close the door on a playoff return for the team's captain.
After two years of recovery, the Captain of the Colorado Avalanche is making his first step towards return. The Avs announced Wednesday that Gabriel Landeskog has been assigned to a conditioning stint with the teams American Hockey League affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.
The Swede has been sidelined the past two seasons after he underwent knee cartilage replacement surgery in 2023. Landeskog’s last NHL game was when Colorado claimed their third Stanley Cup in 2022.
Throughout this season, Landeskog has skated with the Avalanche in practice, ramping up the appearances as the season went on. Landeskog is most likely to remain on long-term injured reserve until the Stanley Cup Playoffs where he could make his return. This assignment aims to get the Captain back into game shape and potentially be activated for the Avalanche’s playoff push. The forward last went through a full practice with the Avs on Mar. 17.
"He's making strides. Obviously, this rehab is not linear. There's lots of peaks and valleys in it and sometimes it's two steps forward and one step back,” head coach Jared Bednar said after practice. “he's still making progress and obviously feeling comfortable enough to come out and join the team with certain drills. So, hopefully that continues and continues to grow and [he’s] working to a point of a return.”
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The 32-year-old practiced with the Eagles Wednesday and would be eligible to play in three of their final five games of the season. If Landeskog returns for the Stanley Cup Playoffs he could help the Avs with another postseason push. Landeskog was a 20-goal scorer before injury with 248 goals and 323 assists in 738 regular-season games.
Colorado is top-five in scoring, averaging 3.34 goals per game and Landy could boost their offense further and provide leadership. The Avalanche added to their depth this season and their Captain’s return could help bolster a group that is all-in on winning another Stanley Cup.
The Avs currently sit at third in the Central Division and are slated to face the Dallas Stars in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Landeskog could make his return with the Eagles’ in their final two home games on April 11 and April 12 in Loveland, CO.