Avalanche News
The Latest On Gabriel Landeskog and Devon Toews
The Avalanche’s almost injury-free season has become anything but that in recent days.
After losing starting goalie Mackenzie Blackwood to an injury, the Avs, in the last two days, saw both Devon Toews and Gabriel Landeskog sustain upper-body injuries in consecutive games.
Landeskog’s status is the most pressing. The team captain spent more than three years on the shelf while recovering from a severe knee injury. He’s played in every game since returning in Game 3 of the first-round series last spring. That streak will come to an end on Tuesday when the Avs are in Tampa Bay.
According to Corey Masisak of the Denver Post, Landeskog flew back to Denver on Monday to undergo further evaluation.
A minor update on #Avs Captain Gabe Landeskog …
He is traveling back to Denver today. Team should have more of an update tomorrow ahead of the game against Tampa Bay.
— Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) January 5, 2026
Landeskog is suffering from what appears to be a rib injury after colliding with the Florida Panthers goalpost. Landeskog toepicked while driving to the net before the collision. Masisak said there could be an update on his long-term status ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Meanwhile, Toews is set to miss his second consecutive game since his ailment in Carolina on Saturday. Toews was tripped up by Nikolaj Ehlers and fell awkwardly into the boards. He returned and finished that game.
Bednar said Sunday that Toews is expected to miss time, although we dont yet know the severity of his injury.
Both Toews and Landeskog are on their respective nations teams for the upcoming Winter Olympics. The tournaments opening game is just 37 days away, which makes it likely that we’ll get an update on both skaters soon to allow time for replacements to be named if necessary.
We still do not know if either will have to miss the tournament.
The Avs also dont expect Blackwood to be out long. He could be available as early as Thursday when the Avs open a seven-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators. The team is also missing depth forward Joel Kiviranta, who is out for the second time this year.
Aside from that, the other notable injuries the team has had were to Scott Wedgewood, Valeri Nichushkin, Samuel Girard, and Gavin Brindley. All of them are back and healthy.
Logan O’Connor has been out all year.
Sounds like someone said landy had a fractured rib which is like 6-12 weeks to heal.
If thats true. I wonder do avs make a trade now or wait till after the Olympics.
Missing landy is a big loss.
A broken rib hasn’t been confirmed. If it is that, the healing time would depend on what grade the fracture is. With an Olympic break there’s no need to panic now and make a move. I’m sure the team has a trade deadline wishlist and replacing Landy was definitely not on it. I assume they’ll wait for a proper diagnosis then monitor his recovery before pulling the trigger on anything
If its a broken rib, healing time and functional time are two entirely different things. Get him an Evo Shield and an Intercostal and get back on the ice. They hurt, but they don’t keep you from playing.
I think you get the best 3C and LHD you can whenever you can cut the deal. This is a do or die cup run with almost guaranteed post season for us so there’s no reason to try to finesse the timing as long as you make the cap work.
I agree 100% unless the options are poor right now because so many teams still have playoff hopes. But I’d much rather do it ASAP so the new players have time to learn the system and get bought in. Too many times TDL acquisitions are just mercenaries who don’t seem to have the level of commitment that the rest of the team.
Fortunately we have a nice cushion in the standings and the Olympic break. Landy is a rehab beast. Our first game back after Olympic break is 2/25 which is about 6.5 weeks away
This could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. If both Landy & Toews miss a month or two. It sucks not having them in the lineup obviously. But they’re deep enough to survive it.
Toews logs a lot of mins. Landy is approaching his mid 30’s. If both also have to miss the Olympics, that’s a plus for the Avs & gives them plenty of time to rehab & come back 100%. As long as they both get some games in prior to the postseason & are ready to go come April, all good.