DENVER (AP) — Gabriel Landescog may have sacrificed his injured right knee to lift the Stanley Cup for the Colorado Avalanche. Now he’s about to take the extreme step to play hockey again.
Landescog is scheduled to undergo cartilage replacement surgery on Wednesday, missing a second consecutive full NHL season, giving the longtime captain an uncertain return path. I am confident that I will be able to resume my career after having my third surgery on my knee in .
“I have to do the right thing for my health. Ultimately I have to do what I can so I can go out and play with everyone and keep chasing the Stanley Cup. “Is it going to be a long road? Yeah. But there are a lot of motivating factors.”
The 30-year-old Swede is most motivated by a desire to return to hockey’s peak. Landescog had not played since the June 26 cup game in Tampa Bay. He scored his 22 points in his 20 games and contributed significantly to his third title win for the franchise.
Its impressive performance was followed by another operation in October after the first operation in March. Meanwhile, Landskog played through chronic pain to win the championship.
Chris McFarland, Colorado general manager, said, “It says it all about Gabe. He’s a winner and moves our team’s emotional barometer in many ways.” What you did last year, how he played and what he fought for, I know I will never forget it.”
Landskog was given the option of this surgery last fall, but thought it would allow him to return to the ice in a less invasive manner. He did not play and was eliminated from the playoffs in April.
In recent weeks, he spoke with Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, who has undergone knee replacement surgery. Back in March, we covered the brains of another NBA player who’s had a similarly arduous journey through injury. That, and research—the most he’s done since high school—helped Landesog come to this decision.
“It’s a difficult injury to rehab,” Landskog said. “Once the injury has healed and there is enough damage there, the symptoms I have and what I’m experiencing make it difficult to patch the hole without doing this procedure at this time.
Retired defenseman Mark Messot has undergone the same knee cartilage replacement surgery as fellow Bulls doctor Brian Cole at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center, all knowing Landescog has surgery Wednesday. Yes. Method never played again after playing in 2019.
“I’m sure he had the same conversation with Dr. Cole. He won’t be promised anything,” Methot told The Associated Press by phone on Tuesday. “He said: ‘When you left.’ This is something that is very hard to come back to as long as you come back and feel the same as before.
Landeskog understands that the surgical success rate is 85%. Methot’s has also done well and helped him in his day-to-day activities, but returning to play in the NHL is another level.
“This is a rare procedure for elite athletes,” admitted Landescog. I know I can do it, and I know I have the right guidance and the right people around me.
While not denying a return to the playoffs next year, Landescog said it’s too early to say when he will return. That includes long-term injury relief for a $7 million salary hit in his cap, but considering he’s lost a player who’s been captain since 2012 and at age 19 he’s played 807 games. , is not comforting enough. The team’s regular season and playoff games.
“Gabe Landescog is a really special player and knowing his status is certainly helpful, but replacing him is a whole other conversation,” McFarland said.
Note: McFarland said the team could not comment on the situation of forward Valeri Nichushkin, who missed the last five postseason games against Seattle for personal reasons. I can’t comment on anything related to Val other than to say that he was an important part of our team. ”said McFarland. Defenseman Josh Manson also took unspecified steps. … Forward Artturi Lehkonen has broken his toe after returning from a broken finger. … McFarland did not believe that procedures were planned to correct the forward’s broken neck. Andrew Coriano.
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