The Colorado Avalanche announced on Monday that their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, will miss the entire 2023-24 NHL season due to a knee injury and subsequent cartilage transplant. This news comes as a major blow to the team and its fans, as Landeskog has been a key player for the Avalanche since he was drafted second overall in 2011.
According to the team’s statement, Landeskog underwent surgery on his left knee in early August to repair a damaged meniscus and cartilage. While the initial prognosis was positive, further evaluation revealed that the damage was more extensive than initially thought, and a cartilage transplant was deemed necessary.
A cartilage transplant is a surgical procedure in which healthy cartilage from a donor is transplanted into the damaged area of a patient’s joint. This can help to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and prevent further damage to the joint. However, it is a complex procedure that requires a lengthy recovery period and carries some risks.
In Landeskog’s case, the transplant will require several months of rehabilitation and physical therapy before he can even begin to think about returning to the ice. The Avalanche have stated that they will not rush his recovery and will take all necessary precautions to ensure that he is fully healed before he returns to play.
Landeskog’s absence will be felt deeply by the Avalanche, as he has been one of their most consistent and productive players over the past decade. He has scored at least 20 goals in each of his last eight seasons and was named the team’s captain in 2012 at just 19 years old.
Despite this setback, the Avalanche remain a talented and competitive team, with a strong core of players including Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar. They will need to rely on these players even more heavily in Landeskog’s absence and may need to make some roster moves to fill the void left by their captain.
For Landeskog, the road to recovery will be a long and challenging one. However, he is a determined and resilient player who has overcome adversity before, including a serious concussion in 2011 and a shoulder injury in 2016. With the support of his team, his fans, and his own determination, there is no doubt that he will come back stronger than ever.
