Gabriel Landeskog is expected to be out 12 weeks for the Colorado Avalanche after having arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday.
“Started bugging him in training camp and getting back on the ice,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “So they looked at it, took images. Decided on surgery. Had it in Minneapolis.”
Landeskog missed the final 23 games of the 2021-22 season after having knee surgery on March 14. He returned for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and had 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 20 games to help Colorado win the Stanley Cup. .
The 29-year-old captain was frequently absent from morning skates during the playoffs to manage his recovery. He had 59 points (30 goals, 29 assists) in 51 regular-season games last season.
Bednar said it’s up to other Avalanche players to step up with Landeskog out of the lineup until at least mid-January.
“We’ve got a strong core of guys that can lead in our room, no question,” Bednar said. “They’re not even all wearing letters. (Defensemen Devon) Toews, (Cale) Makar — like go through the [roster]. (Josh) Manson. We got experienced guys in the back and up front, obviously, too.
“But Gabe is a huge part of it, right? Just his presence and calming influence on our locker room and the input he has. It’s very timely. It’s very specific. It’s like he’s an extension of the coaching staff. So we miss him. , no question. Never mind what he does on the ice. Just being around and his leadership and being able to sort of connect with all the guys in our locker room — he’s an important piece.”
Bednar announced Sept. 22 that Landeskog would not be ready for the regular season, which started Oct. 13.
When Landeskog does return, it will be his 12th NHL season, all with the Avalanche. He has 571 points (248 goals, 323 assists) in 738 games.
The Avalanche (2-1-0) host the Winnipeg Jets at Ball Arena on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; SN1, SNW, ALT2, ESPN+, SN NOW).
“[Injuries are] part of the game, you got to go without him,” Bednar said. “If we’re going to be without him, hopefully everything goes smoothly with his rehab, and we were without him for 12 weeks there, give or take and, and we’ll get him back for an important stretch run.”
Forward Jayson Megna will be recalled from Colorado of the American Hockey League and play against the Jets.
NHL.com independent correspondent Ryan Boulding contributed to this report
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