Gabriel Landeskog says a lot of people in his shoes would’ve retired by now

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog continued his media blitz on Tuesday, this time appearing on the very popular podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets.”

In a 40-minute interview, Landeskog continued to open about his rehab journey after undergoing cartilage replacement surgery on his knee.

Landeskog hasn’t played since the Avs won the Stanley Cup in the summer of 2022. His recovery is part of a new docuseries and it’s clear Landeskog wants to get his story out there to the fans.

The whole interview is definitely worth watching, but Landeskog’s best answers came near the end. His goal remains to play again one day for the Avalanche, but he admitted a lot of people probably would’ve retired by now.

“I think I’ve realized during this journey I’m still going at it. It’s been 2.5 years. In my book I’m kind of already winning. I think a lot of people would’ve called it by now. I’ve made enough money to call it and what not and be happy,” Landeskog said.

But he’s not “calling it” as Landeskog still has the desire to play and the work ethic to hopefully get all the way back from this brutal path he’s been on.

“To me, that fire inside is still there. I started it, I want to keep going and I’ve committed to it. I want to be able to see (my kids) on the glass in warmup again. I’ll continue working and we’ll see where it takes me,” Gabriel Landeskog said.

The captain also acknowledged that not every career gets that Disney movie ending.

“Not many guys get to go out the way they want to. I’m very aware of that and that’s a reality that you see firsthand all the time,” Landeskog said.

Also, Landeskog was asked about Mikko Rantanen getting traded to the Dallas Stars after just a handful of games in Carolina. The former Avalanche superstar took $12 million a season from Dallas, but could never agree to an extension with Colorado. A lot of Avs fans are hurt by the whole situation.

“I don’t know, I gotta square it up on Saturday. The Stars are coming into town on Sunday, so we’re gonna take Mikko out and air it all out,” Landeskog said.

Even though he probably needs some questions answered, Landeskog still went out of his way to say nice things about Rantanen.

“I love Mikko. Mikko’s like a Finnish little brother to me. I obviously wish we still had him but I understand there’s a business and I understand it was a great chance for him to get paid,” Landeskog said.

Again, this is just a small sample of what Gabriel Landeskog hit on, and if you want to watch the full interview, click here.