Avalanche Make Gabriel Landeskog Move Before NHL Playoffs

Landeskog last played for the Avalanche on June 26, 2022, assisting on the Stanley Cup-clinching goal. Since then, he has undergone multiple knee procedures, including cartilage transplant surgery in May 2023.

His rehab assignment saw him take the ice in back-to-back games, recording a goal and an assist in his second outing.

Nathan MacKinnon and several teammates were in attendance for Landeskog’s AHL appearances and spoke about their captain ahead of his return to NHL play on Tuesday.

"He's Gabe Landeskog at the end of the day, and, obviously, there's going to be some rust," MacKinnon said. "Three years is a crazy amount of time off, and he hasn't really been practicing that much either. We've just been so busy, there's been no practice—which is too bad for him.

"But I think he looks great, and in game situations, you can still see those instincts are there. He's still got it, for sure."

Cale Makar also commented on the impending captain's comeback.

"It's insane that you're coming back three years without even playing a single game," Makar said.

Avs' head coach Jared Bednar acknowledged the forward’s progress and left the door open for activation.

“Number one, it’s exciting that he’s back and playing. I’m really happy for him. I know it’s been a long road,” Bednar said. “Number two, I think it’s exciting for us because it may give us another option here, when we get to the weekend and start playing playoff games.

”We’ll see how he responds this week and see how it all goes. But to have another player of his caliber possibly being ready to go is only a positive one from my mind.”

Landeskog, who has served as the Avs' captain since 2012, has recorded 248 goals and 571 points in 738 NHL games. He has averaged nearly a point per game in six postseason runs, racking up 67 points in 69 total playoff outings.