Few Colorado Avalanche fans may know that an important date is coming up on Saturday, April 11th. That is the anniversary of Gabriel Landeskog’s return to playing hockey. It will official be one year since he played two games for the AHL Colorado Eagles against the Henderson Silver Knights (VGK). This year’s review focuses on the captain and his successful, epic comeback.

What led to the gap in play

The captain’s three-year absence from hockey stemmed from right-knee surgery. To be more specific, Landeskog underwent a cartilage transplant in his knee to repair previous damage and surgeries. The injury kept him out of the entire 2022–2025 seasons. The last game he played was Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals on June 26, 2022, when he lifted the Cup. What came next was a grueling rehabilitation that was documented on “A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog.” It was a six-part series that showed the public the process and the emotion of the comeback.

Gabriel Landeskog waits behind the bench to go on the ice for his first pre-game warmup in three years on April 11, 2025. Photo courtesy of Colorado Eagles)

The epic return

Following solo training and team skates, Landeskog received his initial AHL assignment. However, this task was exceptional. On the morning of April 11, 2025, Landeskog drove to the arena for the first time, knowing he was going to be in the lineup. Game one for the captain went well. He played for about 15 minutes, and he was testing everything out. Game two is where Landeskog showed how comfortable he had gotten. As the game progressed, he pushed himself harder, getting an assist on John Ludvig’s first AHL goal of the year. And in typical Landeskog fashion, he scored on the power play in front of the crease to tie the game and force overtime.

 “It’s very exciting to get on the score sheet and score a goal is good feeling, no doubt, and especially in a tight game like this,” Landeskog said after scoring. “But I don’t think I’ve ever really tried to evaluate my game, good or bad, whether I score goals or get assists or whatever. There are other things that I evaluate my game based off of, but no doubt it’s exciting to contribute. And I know as a as a player that I am that is sort of my job is to help the team offensively, and it’s fun doing that.”

Apr 23, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) is introduced against the Dallas Stars in game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

It was not until the playoffs that Landeskog came back to a roaring Ball Arena at the start of Game Three against Dallas. He lined up in the opening faceoff against his old pal Mikko Rantanen and smashed him into the boards on the first shift. It wasn’t until Game Four (the second game for him) that he found the scoresheet. As Brock Nelson screamed down the near side, Landeskog trailed down the middle. Nelson sent a pass into the high slot for the captain, and the post rang as the puck hit the back of the net. Ball Arena would erupt in celebration for Swede, a goal that everyone had been waiting for.

Regular season 2025–26

Opening night for the 2025–26 season lacked stress, as Landeskog posed no uncertainty for the first time since 2022. He brought his leadership to the locker room, the bench, and the ice, making a significant difference for the Avalanche. The former Calder Trophy winner played 41 straight games with no worry of injury, racking up seven goals and 15 assists.

Then, on January 4th, everyone’s fear became a reality. Landeskog toe-picked and slammed into the goalpost. He rose slowly, requiring help to leave the ice. It turned out that Landeskog had broken several ribs when he made contact with the post. The injury kept him out of the lineup for 14 games until the start of the Olympic Games. While leading the Swedes as captain, Landeskog scored two goals and tallied two assists. Unfortunately, the Swedes did not earn a medal.

The winger battled along until March 8th, when a took a shot from Cale Makar to the groin. He was in some obvious discomfort and had to exit the game, later missing seven more games. Following a cleanup surgery, he returned and continued to play every game since March 20th.

Gabriel Landeskog has shown that he is a vital part of the Avalanche with his return. He enhances lineup versatility, injecting a toughness into the top-six unseen for three years. His leadership on and off the ice takes the weight off Nathan MacKinnon, allowing him to perform. Landeskog’s presence on the bench injects a motivating influence, inspiring teammates and facilitating on-ice adjustments. As of April 9th, he has added six goals and six more assists, bringing his season total to 13 goals and 21 assists.

This year has made it obvious that Gabriel Landeskog makes a significant difference on the team. He is captain of the Avalanche for a reason, and there is no doubt 92 will go to the rafters once his career is over after returning from an injury that no one has returned from before.