Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog skated before practice today, notes Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now. The captain hasn’t played since the sixth game of the Stanley Cup Final back in 2022 due to continued knee trouble including a cartilage transplant in May 2023. While this isn’t the first time Landeskog has taken to the ice before practice, it’s the first time he has done so since mid-November as he suffered a setback at that time. There remains no timetable for him to return but Landeskog has noted a few times this year that he hopes to get back into the Colorado lineup at some point this season.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- The University of Minnesota-Duluth announced (Twitter link) that Ducks prospect Will Francis had a relapse of his leukemia which is why he has been limited to just three games so far this season. Francis was initially diagnosed with it in 2020 and had a relapse in August 2023, leading to a bone marrow transplant back in April. Francis is hoping to return to the team next month. PHR wishes Francis well in his continued battle.
- The Hurricanes announced that defenseman Riley Stillman has been sent back to AHL Chicago. The 26-year-old has been sent back and forth this season but hasn’t seen any action with Carolina. Stillman has four points in nine contests with the Wolves. Meanwhile, Carolina has also recalled goalie Dustin Tokarski, defenseman Ty Smith, and winger Jackson Blake from Chicago, per the AHL transactions log. The three were papered to the minors on Wednesday.
- Utah announced (Twitter link) that winger Matias Maccelli was scratched from tonight’s game against Calgary due to an illness. After putting up 57 points last season, the 24-year-old has struggled mightily offensively this year, potting just three goals and seven assists through his first 37 outings. There was some good news on the health front, however, as Clayton Keller returned after missing Tuesday’s game to an illness himself.
The hopefully, potentially, maybe stuff with Landeskog has officially worn out it’s welcome. I get that’s it’s a nugget of news for writers to write about but after this long; unless the headline reads “Landeskog to return xx/xx/xx”, literally zero people care.
I can understand the frustration of fans not knowing when and if this player will come back.
I was happy to read this news, though, and I’m impressed by Landeskog’s resilience and strong will after numerous setbacks. I know people who struggled big time after undergoing knee surgery, and I’m not talking about doing professional sports at the highest level- just being able to walk stairs without pain, and things like that.
God speed to Will Francis, Hope he is on the ice very soon!