It has been 981 days since top star last took the ice for the Colorado Avalanche. In one of the most perplexing injury situations in hockey, the Avalanche captain has been relentlessly working toward a return, yet nearly three years have passed since he last wore an Avs jersey—when he hoisted the Stanley Cup.
Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland provided an update on his status, but it wasn’t the news fans were hoping for. “I don’t for-see in the next day or two, or week or two here,” MacFarland said. “I think you guys can figure out where this is kind of going.”
His statement painted a grim picture, suggesting that Landeskog’s return may be further away than previously anticipated—an all-too-familiar disappointment for Avalanche fans.
This is a tough situation for the longtime Colorado captain, who has been a vital part of the franchise since his debut in 2011. Each time there appears to be a glimmer of hope for his comeback, another setback seems to emerge.
Last May, Gabriel Landeskog made it clear that he wasn’t retiring after the Avalanche suffered their second straight postseason exit without their captain on the ice. Then, in August, he provided a hopeful update on his knee, stating that his return was a matter of “when, not if.” Unfortunately, those comments haven’t aged well for the 32-year-old, as his comeback remains uncertain.
While this isn’t the news Avalanche fans were hoping for, general manager Chris MacFarland did acknowledge the relentless work Landeskog has been putting in to make a return. He also left the door open for a potential playoff appearance—if Colorado can secure a Wild Card spot.
At this stage, words don’t carry much weight in this ongoing saga. For Avalanche fans, the only thing that truly matters is seeing Gabriel Landeskog back on the ice in an Avs sweater.
As it stands, if he does make a return, it likely won’t be until the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs—if Colorado secures a postseason spot and keeps its championship hopes alive.