Injury Report: 2024-2025 Injury thread | HF’s Longest Thread Just Got Longer

[CharlesPuck]

Get your hands out of my face, pal.

You trying to catch these hands?

 

[The Moops]

I think it’s very important to use Landy’s LTIR money to improve the roster going into playoffs, so they’re taking their time with Landy. I won’t be surprised if he starts practicing with like a month to go before the playoffs, and comes back in the 1st round

Aren't we already using some of his LTIR money?

 

[LOFIN]

Aren't we already using some of his LTIR money?

Yes, and have done so the whole time.

 

[myperbixhurts]

Aren't we already using some of his LTIR money?

Yeah but they have to use whatever is remaining. There is like 4 plus mill available right now

 

[AnimalMother73]

I just want final clarity on this. The will he or won't he has severely hampered their ability to do any long term planning. My bet is he's coming back as a 4th line forward for the playoffs, plays minimal sheltered minutes maybe steadily increasing to 3rd line the farther the team goes, then full go next season. They really do need him to play in some form or another going into a 4th season with uncertainty is just unconscionable.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Yeah but they have to use whatever is remaining. There is like 4 plus mill available right now

That's Jones' money! If Chicago also agreed to take the Colton and Wood show to the windy city.

 

[Balthazar]

No one can say for sure. I'm doubtful but until the day comes he says he's done, I'll have a glimmer of hope, however small.

As long as you don't believe that he'll jump straight into the playoffs after missing 3 seasons.

 

[Pokecheque]

As long as you don't believe that he'll jump straight into the playoffs after missing 3 seasons.

I’ll wait for them to make that call.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

As long as you don't believe that he'll jump straight into the playoffs after missing 3 seasons.

Yeah, it's a pipedream at this point but it would be at least nice to see him on ice for one last time.

 

[Foppa2118]

I can't bring myself to believe they would keep Landeskog on LTIR all season then bring him in for playoff hockey having missed almost 3 years and likely having brand new linemates since I doubt he'd go right to the top line wing with MacKinnon.

If he's not in the regular season lineup at some point, I don't believe he's playing again.

I can understand that, but I equally have a hard time believing that at worst, he couldn't just play on the 4th line to start the playoffs in a limited role.

If that's the difference between getting a guy like Jones or not, I think you have to prioritize Jones. They don't know for sure how Gabe's knee will hold up, or how well he'll play, even if he gets some regular season games.

He would have been skating a lot leading up to that, so conditioning would be pretty close to game shape. Getting 8-10 minutes on the 4th line to start if need be would make conditioning less of an issue as well.

The real thing that he wouldn't get back right away is his timing, and perhaps his puck handling, and passing at high speed.

Some of that could be managed by playing more meat and potatoes simple hockey though.

I like Kiviranta, but with Gabe's IQ, and skill, I just feel like he could step in with 0 games if need be, and still be as good or better than Kivi. Perhaps other guys too. I think the goal would be to try to work him onto a 3rd line with Drury.

 

[dahrougem2]

I can understand that, but I equally have a hard time believing that at worst, he couldn't just play on the 4th line to start the playoffs in a limited role.

If that's the difference between getting a guy like Jones or not, I think you have to prioritize Jones. They don't know for sure how Gabe's knee will hold up, or how well he'll play, even if he gets some regular season games.

He would have been skating a lot leading up to that, so conditioning would be pretty close to game shape. Getting 8-10 minutes on the 4th line to start if need be would make conditioning less of an issue as well.

The real thing that he wouldn't get back right away is his timing, and perhaps his puck handling, and passing at high speed.

Some of that could be managed by playing more meat and potatoes simple hockey though.

I like Kiviranta, but with Gabe's IQ, and skill, I just feel like he could step in with 0 games if need be, and still be as good or better than Kivi. Perhaps other guys too. I think the goal would be to try to work him onto a 3rd line with Drury.

We have to keep things in perspective when we imagine him stepping in, though.

Where in pro sports has an athlete returned after 3 years off and been able to perform? Muhammad Ali? Mario Lemieux?

I just can't imagine Landeskog takes 3 years off and joins playoff hockey even in a 4th line role. He needs regular season games.

 

[Foppa2118]

We have to keep things in perspective when we imagine him stepping in, though.

Where in pro sports has an athlete returned after 3 years off and been able to perform? Muhammad Ali? Mario Lemieux?

I just can't imagine Landeskog takes 3 years off and joins playoff hockey even in a 4th line role. He needs regular season games.

How much of that though is because it can't be done, versus how rare that situation is in general?

Similar things have been done before. Ali and Mario as you mentioned. Forsberg took the entire year off and then came back and led the NHL in playoff scoring despite not going the finals.

Obviously these are all time greats, and Gabe is a mere Viking God, but starting on the 4th line in the playoffs is also far below the level those others displayed, and much easier to achieve.

I also think the advancements in science, diet, and Gabe's sheer determination increase the likelihood of him stepping into the playoffs with 0 games if need be as well.

He just has to not be a liability. Some of the biggest contributions Gabe is gonna have on this team is his calming presence and leadership on the bench and in the room between periods, as well as the motivation his teammates will have from seeing him give his all out there, after everything he went through to get back.

Nate's gonna be willing to run through a wall for him and so are a lot of other guys who played with him on that Cup team.

 

[Vaslof]

We have to keep things in perspective when we imagine him stepping in, though.

Where in pro sports has an athlete returned after 3 years off and been able to perform? Muhammad Ali? Mario Lemieux?

I just can't imagine Landeskog takes 3 years off and joins playoff hockey even in a 4th line role. He needs regular season games.

I agree with you, but just to answer the question: Kimi Räikkönen did it in F1. Came back after 3 years, though he had no injury. Michael Schumacher had a 4 year break. Wrestling isn't a real sport and they get to dope, but it is physically demanding. There Adam Copeland retired due to life-threatening injury, then returned 9 years later. Bryan Danielson likewise retired due to injury, then returned 3 years later. In skijumping Janne Ahonen retired twice for 1+2 years only to come back.

The odds are stacked against Landy. We do know he's kept training all this time so physically he should be fine if the injury has healed. It's not a good sign that he's still not close. It will take some time to get the rust off and we're down to the last 20 games of the regular season.