Gabriel Landeskog Returns to the NHL After 1,032 Days

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog made his highly anticipated return to the NHL after a lengthy absence, marking his first shift since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. The moment came during Game 3 of the Avalanche's first-round series against the Dallas Stars.

Before the game, Landeskog had predicted his first shift would be brief, and it turned out to be exactly that — lasting just 33 seconds. But in those 33 seconds, the crowd made their excitement clear, chanting his name as he touched the puck and even cheered when he collided with his former teammate, Mikko Rantanen, sending him to the ice.

The atmosphere was electric as Avalanche fans waved rally towels during warmups, chanting "Landy, Landy, Landy" in support of the 32-year-old. This marked his first game since June 26, 2022, a span of 1,032 days. Landeskog’s two young children held up a sign reading, "So proud of you, Daddy!" just before the game began, and in return, Landeskog gifted them both a puck to cherish.

The cheers for Landeskog didn’t stop there. As he took the ice before the American national anthem, the "Landy" chants grew louder. When the public address announcer revealed that he was in the starting lineup, the crowd erupted once again, a testament to the deep connection between Landeskog and the Avalanche faithful.

His return was not without its challenges. Landeskog had been recovering from a significant right knee injury, which required multiple surgeries, including a cartilage transplant in May 2023. The journey was long and filled with setbacks, but his determination never wavered.

"I’ve thought about this moment a lot over the last three years," Landeskog told Altitude Sports' Kyle Keefe before the game. "Now that it's here, I’m thinking about all the hard work, the ups, the downs, the sacrifices, and the support I’ve had along the way. I’m thankful for everyone’s help and encouragement."

Before his return, Landeskog had been skating with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL on a conditioning loan. His teammate Erik Johnson praised Landeskog's perseverance, saying, “He had every right to pull the plug at any time, but he wanted to see it through.”

Defenseman Cale Makar added, “It’s going to be really exciting to have him back in the room, having the Captain back doing his thing.”

As for Landeskog's emotions, he was calm and collected before hitting the ice. "I feel surprisingly calm and in control right now," he said. "I know the butterflies and nerves will come, but I’m excited."

His second shift was brief, lasting only 18 seconds, but his third shift saw him on the ice for 1:06. With Landeskog back in the lineup, the Avalanche are focused on securing their second win of the series in front of their home crowd and Landeskog's loyal supporters.

The captain’s return is not just a boost for the team; it’s a moment of triumph for Landeskog after a long, challenging recovery. The road back was tough, but now that he’s here, the future looks bright for both him and the Colorado Avalanche.