Landeskog expected to miss 12 weeks after knee surgery

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog will likely sit out the next 12 weeks after undergoing knee surgery Tuesday, head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday.

Landeskog hasn't played a game this season. The Swedish forward, who'll turn 30 in November, had a previous knee procedure in March that forced him to miss the rest of the regular season. He returned in the playoffs and helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup.

The 11-year veteran collected 30 goals and 29 assists while averaging 20:19 of ice time - the second-largest workload of his career - over 51 games in 2021-22.

Landeskog has long been one of Colorado's most important players. He was instrumental in the team's championship run, notching 11 goals and 11 assists over 20 contests this past spring. Landeskog has spent his entire NHL tenure with the Avalanche, who drafted him second overall in 2011. He's worn the "C" since 2012-13.

Assuming Colorado places Landeskog on long-term injured reserve, the club will gain $7 million in cap relief while he remains out of the lineup. Landeskog re-signed with the Avalanche on an eight-year contract in July 2021.

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