BREAKING NEWS: Landeskog’s Back — And He’s Hungry But One Crucial Piece Still Needs Sharpening……………..
Denver, CO — The captain has returned.
Gabriel Landeskog, the heart, soul, and spine of the Colorado Avalanche, is officially back on the ice — and he’s coming back with something to prove. After a grueling 14-month recovery from a rare and potentially career-threatening cartilage transplant surgery, the Avalanche leader is lacing up his skates, donning the “C” on his chest once again, and reigniting hope in a fanbase hungry for another Stanley Cup run.
But while the body is firing, and the mindset is locked in, Landeskog is honest — brutally honest — about one part of his game that still needs work: timing.
“Physically, I feel strong. I feel better than I expected to,” Landeskog told reporters in his first post-practice media availability since the comeback began. “But timing? That’s going to take reps. You can’t simulate game speed, and I know I have to get there before I’m the player I want to be for this team.”
Let’s not underestimate what this moment means. Landeskog hasn’t played a single shift since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2022. The surgery he underwent — a full cartilage transplant — isn’t just rare for hockey players; it’s almost unheard of in professional sports. At 31, most players would have been forgiven for calling it a career. But Landeskog? He went to war with rehab. He suffered. He rebuilt. And now, he’s back.
This is bigger than just a return — it’s a statement.
The Avalanche have battled without their captain for two straight seasons. They’ve managed. They’ve competed. But anyone watching closely knows: something’s been missing. That something is Gabriel Landeskog — the bruising forward with soft hands, the locker room commander, the guy who does the dirty work and buries the clutch goals.
And now, he’s skating again. Full contact. No limitations. And most importantly, no fear.
Coach Jared Bednar isn’t holding back praise.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked, and more,” Bednar said. “He’s strong, he’s skating with power, and mentally, he’s as sharp as ever. The only thing left is game timing — and that comes from minutes on the ice. He’ll get there.”
But here’s where this becomes a must-watch storyline in the NHL:
Landeskog doesn’t want to just come back. He wants to dominate. He wants to be a difference-maker. And he knows that one piece — that split-second instinct, that feel for the game — is the final bridge between recovery and full-throttle greatness.
“I’m not here to just feel good or complete a comeback,” Landeskog said. “I’m here to make an impact. To lead. To win.”
This is a fire we haven’t seen in Colorado since that 2022 championship run. And let’s be clear: if Landeskog finds that timing and locks into his rhythm? The Avalanche immediately become one of the most dangerous teams in the postseason — again.
Teammates are already feeding off his energy.
“He’s our guy,” said Cale Makar. “Even in drills, he brings a presence. You feel safer, more confident. That’s what he gives us.”
The locker room? Buzzing. The fanbase? Electrified. The league? Watching.
Because this isn’t just about a return. It’s about a captain chasing legacy. About unfinished business. About a man who refused to let his career be defined by surgery and setbacks. One who chose the hard path — and is charging back to the spotlight, timing be damned.
If you’re not paying attention, you should be.
Because when Gabriel Landeskog finds his timing — and he will — the Avalanche won’t just be back.
They’ll be dangerous.
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