Avalanche GM MacFarland: Gabriel Landeskog could return for Stanley Cup Playoffs

“Gabe Landeskog is a special player … the things that Gabe does are not readily available and we really miss this player,” MacFarland said. “I’m just hopeful that he can continue his career [this spring] if we’re fortunate enough.”

Consecutive offseason knee surgeries have kept Landeskog from playing since he lifted Colorado’s third Cup in June of 2022, and the team has sorely missed his nose for goal and two-way sensibility in the meantime.

The Avs are still searching for forwards to round out their top six around the championship core of Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, and Mikko Rantanen. Though MacFarland’s revelation about Landeskog’s timeline could solve that problem, their leader’s return is no certainty.

“We’re still gathering information, and every week that goes by there’s another step,” MacFarland said. “If we go in the playoffs and win a round will he potentially be a player? I just don’t know.”

With Landeskog injured and J.T. Compher now with the Detroit Red Wings, the Avs have had to be creative in their top six, bringing in bargain veterans Ryan Johansen and Jonathan Drouin and betting former Tampa center Ross Colton would thrive in an expanded role. 

The trio has been a mixed bag, and their own spotty returns reflect an erratic season for the star-studded but inconsistent Avalanche. 

For every soaring triumph, like last night’s shutout victory over the Stanley Cup-champion Vegas Golden Knights, there is a crushing defeat, like last Saturday’s 8-4 home thrashing by the Florida Panthers. A postseason return for Landeskog would be a dream scenario for a team that badly needs his reliability. 

You can hear the rest of Seravalli’s conversation with MacFarland on next week’s edition of his Frankly Speaking- with Frank Seravalli podcast from the Nation Network.