Stanley Cup champion to miss second consecutive season to undergo cartilage transplant in knee

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Stanley Cup champion and Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog will miss his second consecutive full season after the team announced Tuesday that he will undergo a cartilage transplant in his right knee. 

Colorado announced Landeskog, who missed the entire 2022-23 regular season after helping the Avalanche win their third Stanley Cup, was expected to miss next season and that he is scheduled to undergo another surgery on his right knee Wednesday. 

Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck in Game 6 of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Landeskog addressed the news during a press conference, telling reporters that the "long road" is the best option. 

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"I just have to do what’s right for my health and, really, ultimately, do what I can so I’m able to go out there and play with the guys and continue chasing more Stanley Cups," he said on a Zoom call Tuesday. 

Erik Cernak (81) of the Tampa Bay Lightning chases Gabriel Landeskog (92) of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period in Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.  (Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

"Is it going to be a long road? Yeah. But motivating factors are plenty."

Landeskog expressed optimism about the procedure, adding that he even spoke with Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball, who recently underwent the same surgery. 

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"It's an uncommon procedure for elite athletes and