The questions about Gabe Landeskog’s future make people squirm. And they are growing increasingly uncomfortable.
The Avs captain has missed two consecutive seasons because of his right knee and recently had a setback in his rehabilitation that required him to stop skating. He should be back on the ice soon, but what does that mean?
Is it time for Landeskog to retire? This thought, as painful as it sounds, hangs in the air after all the strides he has made after undergoing cartilage replacement surgery still has yet to produce a timetable for his return.
Last May the playful answer Landeskog provided was “between mid-September and the start of April.” Now, the earliest would be December. But that seems ambitious if not unrealistic.
The Avs placed Landeskog on long-term injured reserve before the season, which kept his money off the salary cap. It also means some tough decisions are looming. Colorado can slow play this a little longer, but will definitely need to know where Landeskog stands ahead of the March 7 trade deadline.
Do they leave him on injury reserve for the season, keeping cap space clear to make a big move? And what does that mean for Landeskog? Is it delaying the inevitable? Could he really come back after missing three full seasons?
Everyone roots for Gabe. He is a captain beyond the C. His will, his personality, his physicality and his leadership played a huge role in the Avs’ last Stanley Cup championship. Maybe the picture will become clearer when Landeskog resumes skating. No hockey player has returned from this surgery, which speaks to the mental challenge of accomplishing the goal. It would be remarkable if Gabe was the first.
But every time the Avs provide an update, it feels less certain he ever plays again. So, at some point this season, either this winter or in March, the Avs are likely going to have to do what is not only fair to him, but the team.
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Source:: The Denver Post – Sports
