Injury Updates: Landeskog, Makar, Kane

The Colorado Avalanche could be getting a significant player back from a long-term injury. Bennett Durando reported from the Denver Post this captain of the Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog has arrived in Denver and plans to skate individually tomorrow, suggesting a return from the knee injury that kept him off the ice all season is looming. Landeskog has not played this season and in his absence the Avalanche have struggled to return to the dominance they have often shown last season.

Getting Landeskog back on the lineup in time for a stretch run of the season will be a big win for Colorado. Landeskog scored 59 points in 51 games last season and has hovered around the points per game since the 2018/19 season. He would give coach Jared Bednar the opportunity to use the dynamite Landeskog-Nathan MacKinnon–Mikko Rantanen Line back together or could opt to even out his top-six with this trio alongside Arturi Lehkonen, JT CompherAnd Valery Nikhushkin in any combination. While he may not be a full participant or ready to return in the immediate future, it seems that Landeskog’s return is on the horizon.

Some other injury updates:

Just as the Avalanche prepare to bring a difference maker back into the lineup, they lose one. As submitted by Peter Baugh of The AthleticFranchise Defender Kal Makar falls out with an upper body injury. Although it’s not known if it was a head injury, Baugh did note that there is a possibility that this injury is related to contact with his head/face area and symptoms associated with a concussion, but this is unconfirmed at this time.
The Edmonton Oilers have announced The Evander Kane will miss this afternoon’s game due to an upper-body injury. As per the announcement, his status is to be considered day by day. It’s not a great development for Edmonton as Kane has already suffered a serious injury this season and is one of the team’s main offensive players. Kane has 19 points in 24 games this season and had 13 goals in 15 playoff games last season. As the Oilers hope to establish their position in the Western Conference playoff race, Kane’s health will be of paramount importance.