Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog's return this season has been highly anticipated but the timeline has been unclear. The latest from head coach Jared Bednar has given a better insight into when he is expected to rejoin the team on the ice.
In an interview with NHL.com's Tom Gulitti , Bednar said "he's (Landeskog) 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."
The Avs coach was in attendance at the South Carolina Stingrays Fan Fest at North Charleston Coliseum when he spoke with Gulitti. Bednar spent a large part of his career with the organization as a player and coach.
Related: 'You're going through mental gymnastics': How Avalanche forward Gabe Landeskog adjusted leadership role from the sidelines
Landeskog and GM Chris MacFarland fielded questions from media on May 23 — both were hopeful and excited for the captain's return. When asked about when he was expected back, he replied with a laugh, "mid-September, start of April — I feel pretty good about it."
The 31-year-old Swede has been skating for several months after a year's recovery from knee cartilage replacement surgery. He missed the last two seasons but has spent time with his team as much as he was able.
"It's been really nice to be around the team since December. You know, and especially now down the stretch being on the road and all of a sudden you just feel like you're more part of the team again," Landeskog said. "You're missing out on road trips, you're missing out on quite a bunch but proud of the way the guys have battled all season long."
Bednar and the organization have been adamant about not rushing Landeskog's comeback. His recovery has been extensive, but he and the team said they're doing what is best for him longterm.
"It's just when he feels well enough to sort of keep ramping up and taking the next step," Bednar told Gulitti. "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."
The sooner Landeskog gets back on the ice with his team, the better — especially with Valeri Nichushkin guaranteed out at least until November (NHL Player Assistance Program mandatory suspension) and the unknown timeline for Artturi Lehkonen's return from offseason shoulder surgery.
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