According to the coach, Landeskog may make his return "around the beginning" of the season for the Avalanche.

Gabriel Landeskog is not anticipated to be prepared for the beginning of the regular season; however, it is conceivable that his return to the Colorado Avalanche lineup will occur shortly thereafter. The 31-year-old forward, who serves as the captain of the team, has been sidelined for the last two seasons due to a right knee injury.

"He's trying to make a return here sometime near the start of the season and if that goes well, it would be a really big boost for us," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Saturday while attending 2024-25 South Carolina Stingrays Fan Fest at North Charleston Coliseum. "So, that's something we're all a little anxious about, but really excited about as well. He hasn't played for us in two years."

Bednar, who dedicated 15 seasons as both a player and coach with the ECHL's Stingrays from 1995 to 2009 and currently resides in Charleston during the offseason, emphasized that there is no definitive timeline for Landeskog's return. However, he noted that Landeskog has been skating "a handful of times a week" this offseason. The last time Landeskog participated in a game was on June 26, 2022, when he contributed an assist that led Colorado to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. He underwent quadriceps surgery during the 2020 postseason, followed by knee surgeries in March and October of 2022, and then cartilage replacement surgery on his knee on May 10, 2023. Landeskog began skating again during the previous season, and Bednar mentioned in March that a return during the Stanley Cup Playoffs was possible, contingent upon the Avalanche's progress in the tournament.

 The prospect of Colorado advancing was eliminated when they were defeated by the Dallas Stars in six games during the Western Conference Second Round. Nevertheless, Landeskog maintained his optimism, stating on May 23 that he intends to participate in this season, with a broad timeframe of "between mid-September and the beginning of April." Bednar expressed increased optimism regarding Landeskog's potential return, suggesting that he might be able to play within the first month or two of the season, although the exact timing will ultimately depend on Landeskog himself.

"It's just when he feels well enough to sort of keep ramping up and taking the next step," Bednar said. "It's been a long time now, so there's no rush. It's just all with what he's feeling comfortable with. … Just what he's been able to do both in the gym with his training off the ice and what he's been able to do on the ice, we're certainly optimistic that he'll be able to come back."

Bednar, who spent 15 seasons as both a player and coach with the ECHL's Stingrays from 1995 to 2009 and currently resides in Charleston during the offseason, stated that there is no set timeline for Landeskog's return. He did, however, mention that Landeskog has been skating "a few times each week" this offseason. The last game Landeskog played was on June 26, 2022, where he provided an assist that helped Colorado secure a 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. He underwent quadriceps surgery during the 2020 postseason, followed by knee surgeries in March and October of 2022, and then had cartilage replacement surgery on his knee on May 10, 2023. Landeskog resumed skating during the previous season, and Bednar indicated in March that a return during the Stanley Cup Playoffs could be feasible, depending on the Avalanche's advancement in the tournament.

Colorado's chances of progressing further were extinguished following their defeat to the Dallas Stars in six games during the Western Conference Second Round. Despite this setback, Landeskog remained hopeful, declaring on May 23 his intention to play this season, with a general timeframe of "between mid-September and the beginning of April." Bednar conveyed a heightened sense of optimism regarding Landeskog's possible return, indicating that he could potentially be ready to play within the first month or two of the season, although the precise timing will ultimately be determined by Landeskog's own circumstances.

"It's just when he feels well enough to sort of keep ramping up and taking the next step," Bednar said. "It's been a long time now, so there's no rush. It's just all with what he's feeling comfortable with. … Just what he's been able to do both in the gym with his training off the ice and what he's been able to do on the ice, we're certainly optimistic that he'll be able to come back."

At the beginning of the year, the situation will be intriguing, as there is a possibility that three highly skilled players may not be available to commence the season, which remains to be seen, according to Bednar. He noted that this scenario presents an opportunity for several young talents. "We have some players who are eager to join our team," he remarked. Among the young forwards anticipated to receive significant attention during training camp are Nikolai Kovalenko, 24, Jean-Luc Foudy, 22, Oskar Olausson, 21, Ivan Ivan, 21, and Calum Ritchie, 19. Bednar emphasized, "Training camp will involve extensive evaluation. Typically, the roster is mostly finalized, and the focus is on identifying one or two additional players. We are certainly in search of individuals who can contribute at the start of the season.

" If the Avalanche can navigate the early part of the season with a reduced roster, they may be well-positioned to reintegrate Landeskog, Nichushkin, and Lehkonen within the initial two months. "We are discussing two first-line wingers and Lehkonen, who brings similar attributes," Bednar stated. "These players can interchange within our top six, depending on our strategic preferences, and the potential impact of these three players would significantly alter the dynamics of our team."

With the core of the Avalanche remaining intact, including Nathan MacKinnon, the previous season's Hart Trophy winner as the NHL's most valuable player, alongside forwards Mikko Rantanen and Lehkonen, as well as defensemen Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Samuel Girard, Colorado is poised to compete for the Stanley Cup once more. The return of Landeskog and Nichushkin would be beneficial. "It feels like a long time since our last victory, even though it has only been two years," Bednar remarked. "We all have that desire to return to that level. Each year presents its own challenges, but we are optimistic that the developments regarding our players will align favorably, and we believe we have a competitive team once again."