Ex-NHL D-man shares warning about Gabriel Landeskog's playing future

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog will miss the 2023-24 season after undergoing cartilage transplant surgery Wednesday, a procedure former 13-year NHL veteran Marc Methot says cut his career short. 

"I had the same surgery performed on my left knee," Methot tweeted. "It's a brutal rehab process and mine never recovered to a point that made skating at the NHL level possible."

The former defenseman added that Dr. Brian Cole performed his procedure, the same physician who operated on Landeskog. 

Methot's comments may sound alarming, but he's simply pointing out the reality of Landeskog's long road back to the ice. Landeskog's knee injury already forced him to miss the entire 2022-23 season, so the latest development has to be concerning for the Avalanche and their star forward. 

However, while speaking with reporters Tuesday, Landeskog sounded confident, believing the surgery gives him the best shot at returning to play. 

"I've talked to numerous doctors and medical experts and got opinions, learning more about what the different procedures would be," Landeskog said. "This is one that we feel like is the best way forward and is the best solution for me to come back and play hockey again." 

Landeskog's absence undoubtedly hurt the defending Stanley Cup Champions this season. Without Landeskog, the Avalanche's run for back-to-back Cups ended abruptly, falling in the opening round to the surprising Seattle Kraken in seven games. 

The Avalanche will have to go another year without their captain in the lineup while hoping for a potential return in 2024-25 when Landeskog will be 32 years old. 

Landeskog posted 59 points (30 goals, 29 assists) in 51 games during his last full season of action in 2021-22. Among all-time Avalanche leaders, Landeskog ranks fifth in games played (738), seventh in goals (248) and eighth in points (571).