Gabriel Landeskog takes a major step towards returning next year

The Colorado Avalanche have been without Gabriel Landeskog for the better part of two and a half seasons as the thirty-one-year-old has battled a right knee injury that required cartilage transplant surgery on May 10, 2023, however as reports indicated earlier this past season, it appears that the Avalanche captain could be on track to participate in the National Hockey League during the upcoming 2024-2025.

Landeskog was observed working on turns and transitions. It's been indicated and is shown in the video clip provided that he was able to put his full weight on his surgically repaired «bad» knee and to this point this is the best he's looked, post-injury and surgery.

Whether you're a pro athlete or an amateur athlete involved in team sports you do an awful lot of work behind the scenes and on your own. Especially during the offseason, void of many or all your teammates. For any of them to show up to see the progress you're making especially after a catastrophic injury and rehabilitation, must be a great feeling, especially when the reigning MVP of the league Nathan MacKinnon shows up. MacKinnon and many of Landeskog's teammates have voiced their support for his recovery and eventual return expressing they aren't the same team without him.

It's important to understand that because hockey is a team sport skating is only one element of the game that Landeskog needs to work on to make his return. To have former teammates Kurtis MacDermid & Erik Johnson join him must be a boost to the confidence, no matter if they're opponents during the regular season.

According to final reports from Colorado today, Landeskog spent about 50 minutes on the ice. During this time, he was observed going 50-70% of full speed at times. The knee appears to be holding up during his turns which are getting tighter. As pointed out previously, he's been able to put his full weight on the knee.

Overall things look promising for Landeskog to return this season barring any setbacks, which are possible and to be frank, likely. Will the Avalanche, fans and the entire National Hockey League see a return of Gabriel Landeskog during the 2024-2025 season? At this point it's unknown. But the Colorado Avalanche and the NHL are better off with him in it.