Gabriel Landeskog’s return remains uncertain, leaving the Colorado Avalanche to navigate its impact on their trade deadline decisions. Head coach Jared Bednar provided an update on Thursday, stating there’s no new information while acknowledging the situation will influence the team’s approach.
“No change, really, or nothing new to report on Gabe’s situation,” Bednar said. “I’m sure that does have an effect on our thinking going into the deadline and what adds that we could make, or that we would pursue. I try to stay out of most of that stuff and coach the team. So, it’s not really my question, but I’m sure that has something to do with it.”
Although Landeskog has traveled with the team, per Colleen Flynn of Colorado Hockey Now, he has yet to participate in a full practice. He last skated on Jan. 16 and hasn’t played since the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in June 2022 due to a knee injury that required cartilage transplant surgery in May 2023.
When asked about a timeline for his return, Bednar deferred to Landeskog and the medical staff. “There’s only seven weeks left, so he’s working hard. He’s still trying to get better and get to a spot where he thinks he can play, and we’ll see if he’s able to accomplish that in the regular season, or if it’s going to take till playoffs, or if we’re going to have to go a certain length of time in the playoffs to get him back, or even if he’s going to be able to get back this year.”
Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland told The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun on Jan. 26 that while Landeskog is progressing in his rehab, there is still no set return date. With Landeskog’s $7 million cap hit on long-term injured reserve, Colorado currently has $4.7 million in cap space to work with ahead of the March 7 deadline. However, if Landeskog returns before the postseason, his salary would be factored back in, limiting the team’s ability to acquire a high-priced player.
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