Gabriel Landeskog is poised to make his return, after Long Road to Recovery

Nathan MacKinnon spent part of his Tuesday on the ice, sliding pucks to his longtime friend and former captain, Gabriel Landeskog, for shots on goal. It was a familiar sight, and perhaps a sign of what's to come as Landeskog inches closer to a return to the NHL.

After a two-game rehab stint in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, Landeskog is now on the brink of rejoining the Colorado Avalanche for the playoffs. It would be his first NHL game since helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in June 2022, and it could happen as soon as Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars this weekend.

MacKinnon, ever the optimistic teammate, was quick to praise Landeskog’s return. "It doesn't leave," he said of Landeskog’s skill set. "He's Gabe Landeskog at the end of the day. There's going to be some rust, but three years off is a lot of time. He looks great, and his instincts are still there. He's definitely still got it."

The 32-year-old Swede, who has been a nearly point-a-game player in six playoff appearances with the Avalanche, has been working hard to get back up to speed after missing the past three regular seasons due to knee issues and multiple surgeries. During his AHL conditioning stint, Landeskog steadily improved, taking and dishing out hits, even getting involved in a playful headlock on an opponent. He also scored a goal on a power play, redirecting a puck in front of the net—classic Landeskog grit.

MacKinnon was optimistic about his return, saying, "He's in a good spot. Hopefully, he keeps progressing and we get him back here this weekend." Defenseman Cale Makar and other teammates also made the trip to Loveland, Colorado, to watch Landeskog in action, with Makar commenting, "It's insane that you're coming back after three years without even playing a single game. There will be some rust to shake off, but we just hope he’s feeling good and can go from there."

Landeskog himself is feeling confident, sharing after the game on Saturday that his knee "feels really good" though he acknowledges, "Not anywhere near where I want it to be, but it's a good step in the right direction."

While there’s still no definitive timeline for Landeskog’s return to the NHL, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar is excited about the possibility. "It's exciting that he's back and playing," Bednar said. "I'm really happy for him after such a long road. And it’s exciting for us because it could give us another option come playoff time."

Landeskog's return could be a major boost for the Avalanche, especially given the tough path they’ll face through the Western Conference. As the team's captain for 13 seasons, he has been a steadying force, and his leadership, though important, will take a backseat to his ability on the ice. "Leadership has to play a small role," said Bednar, "but the decision has to mainly be about what he can do for us on the ice."

Landeskog’s injury goes back to the 2019-20 "bubble" season, when a skate from Makar accidentally sliced his knee during a playoff game against Dallas. After undergoing a cartilage transplant procedure in 2023, his journey to return to full health has been well-documented, even chronicled in the documentary series A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog.

"I wanted to show the human side of it, the tough times," Landeskog explained. "It’s real. It’s raw. It’s vulnerable."

With the postseason approaching, the Avalanche and their fans are eagerly anticipating what could be a triumphant return for their captain.