Avalanche Skate: Landeskog Surgery Timeline, Johnson ‘Ahead of Schedule’

The Colorado Avalanche did have a full team practice on Friday, which is kind of a surprise. At this point in the year, a full practice is rare. With the schedule being so tight, expect most days between games to be “optional” for the players. Jared Bednar said as much the other day.

After practice, we tried to get more clarity on what is going on with Gabriel Landeskog. After leaving the press room, I’m not sure clarity is what we got, but we certainly got a little bit more information.

Bednar confirmed that the surgery from earlier this season on Landeskog was “unrelated” to the surgery he had before the postseason last year. But then, he stepped in and gave a timeline of what has happened with the Captain.

“First off, Landeskog had surgery at the bubble on his quad,” Bednar said. “And then he had knee surgery going into the playoffs.”

At this point, Bednar asked Avalanche public relations if he had surgery this year, and public relations described it as a “procedure.”

Back in October, this “procedure” was described “arthroscopic knee surgery” to the media in the middle of October. This procedure was described as “less serious” than the March surgery.

When we tried to get clarity on the “procedure” this year, he went into a little bit more detail.

“He did have a procedure, but it wasn’t a major surgery,” Bednar said. “He had surgery on that quad. And then last year, obviously, he missed the time in the Spring before we went into the playoffs, but this years, he had discomfort coming back and training. It was bothering him, hampering him, but he’s been through a lot of different things this year, obviously missing the year. And rehab is really the only thing he’s doing for it at this point.”

Clear as mud, right?

It is interesting that the quad surgery was brought up, as no one asked about that. In case anyone forgot, Landeskog had his right leg sliced right above the knee in the bubble back in 2020. It happened in the Dallas series, but put an end to the Captain’s postseason.

I did not see Landeskog on the ice at any point Friday, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t skate anywhere. He’s been on his own schedule when it comes to getting on the ice.

If the Avalanche clarify anything for us, I will make sure to keep everyone updated.

Erik Johnson ‘Ahead of Schedule’

It looked for a second like Erik Johnson might actually stick around for full practice, but that was not the case. Either way, he is moving very well for a player only a few weeks removed from a broken ankle.

For once, the Avalanche might have good news with an injury.

“I think he’s ahead of schedule,” Bednar told me about Johnson’s recovery. “Eight weeks is probably his timeline, and I think there’s a possibility that he beats that back, with the way things are looking right now. It’s all waiting on the bone to heal now, because he’s feeling pretty good.”

The Avalanche are waiting for x-rays or MRI’s that show good healing.

“Whenever they feel like it’s healed enough, then he should be able to jump right in the lineup, especially if he continues to skate for the next few weeks,” Bednar said.

Other News and Notes

• Darren Helm will go on the four game road trip with the team next week, but it’s no guarantee he will play or even start to take contact. “He’s feeling good, though. Obviously making improvements. I think he’s feeling better and better every day.”
• The news is not so good for Pavel Francouz, who has not started skating. His original timeframe is out the window.
• There was no updated timeframe on Josh Manson.
• Evan Rodrigues looks like he will be moving to the top powerplay unit for Saturday’s game, replacing Artturi Lehkonen.
• Kurtis MacDermid did not skate. He’s listed as day-to-day.
• Jonas Johansson will be the backup for the road trip, but for Saturday’s game, it will be Alexandar Georgiev in net.