Story Summary
Landeskog missed three full seasons (2022-25) following a skate-blade cut to his right knee in the Edmonton bubble on Aug. 30, 2020, returned in the 2025 playoffs and posted 35 points in 60 regular-season games last season. He says the knee is ” pretty close” to healthy, he expects to ” take another step” and he is eager to help the Avalanche pursue another Stanley Cup.
Key Facts
- Gabriel Landeskog is the 33-year-old captain of the Colorado Avalanche.
- Landeskog suffered a right-knee laceration when a skate blade belonging to teammate Cale Makar cut his knee in the Edmonton bubble on Aug. 30, 2020.
- Landeskog missed three seasons from 2022 through 2025 while undergoing surgeries and setbacks and at times considered retiring.
- He returned during the 2025 playoffs, playing his first game in 1,032 days.
- Landeskog became the fifth player to play at least 700 games and return after an absence of 1,000 days or more, joining Jim Peplinski, Mario Lemieux, Uwe Krupp and Peter Forsberg, per NHL Stats.
- Statistics since return: four points (one goal, three assists) in five playoff games in 2025; 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 60 regular-season games last season; 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 13 playoff games last season.
- Career comparative totals cited: 59 points (30 goals, 29 assists) in 51 regular-season games in 2021-22; 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 20 playoff games in 2021-22.
- Landeskog said his knee ” isn’t anybody’s healthy knee,” but ” it’s pretty close to it, and the more time passes, the stronger I get.”
- Colorado posted the best record in Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques history last season and won the Presidents’ Trophy at 55-16-11 (.738 points percentage), ranking first in goals (3.63) and goals against (2.40) per game.
- Recent postseason history noted: lost to Seattle Kraken in seven games in the 2023 first round; lost to the Dallas Stars in six games in the 2024 second round; lost to the Stars in seven games in the 2025 first round; last season the Avalanche reached the Western Conference Final but were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights.
- Landeskog said the team will be ” more hungry, more desperate, more inspired” after last season’s finish and praised coach Jared Bednar’s method of breaking the season into segments and challenging players to improve.
- The Avalanche open the season against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena in Denver on Sept. 30, and the team will play the Discover NHL Winter Classic at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Dec. 31, which Landeskog said will be his fourth outdoor game and the first for some teammates.
IHM Discussion
Landeskog’s recovery has moved from simply returning to building consistency. After surgeries, setbacks and three seasons away, he returned in the 2025 playoffs and followed that with 35 points in 60 regular-season games and 11 points in 13 playoff games last season.
The key question is durability. Landeskog said he expects to take another step, but he also acknowledged that his right knee will require ongoing maintenance. Colorado will be watching both his availability and whether he can continue to build towards the production he delivered before his absence, when he recorded 59 points in 51 regular-season games and 22 points in 20 playoff games in 2021-22.
The wider context raises the stakes. The Avalanche posted the best record in Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques history last season, but were swept by Vegas in the Western Conference Final. Landeskog’s experience as captain, Cup winner and returning player gives Colorado an important voice as it looks to turn regular-season success into a deeper playoff run.
Why It Matters
Landeskog remains Colorado’s captain and an important contributor when available. His encouraging assessment of his knee gives the Avalanche reason for optimism, while the need for continued maintenance keeps the focus on how consistently he can play and produce over a long season.
Colorado’s regular-season success last season has heightened expectations. If Landeskog continues to improve as he hopes, the Avalanche will carry greater experience and proven playoff production into another push for the Stanley Cup.
Fan Pulse
Fans will likely welcome Landeskog’s positive report as reassurance. His remark that he does not ” take anything for granted” after the injury and his excitement to share an outdoor game with his three young children – ages 7, 5 and 1½ – frames his return as both a personal triumph and a feel-good storyline for supporters. The combination of veteran leadership, recent productivity and public optimism should temper concerns while keeping expectations measured.
Mini Q&A
What injury did Gabriel Landeskog suffer?
His right knee was cut by a skate blade belonging to teammate Cale Makar during a game in the Edmonton bubble on Aug. 30, 2020.
How long was Landeskog out of the lineup?
He sat out three seasons and played his first game in 1,032 days when he returned in the 2025 playoffs.
How did Landeskog perform after his return?
After returning, he had four points (one goal, three assists) in five playoff games in 2025, 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 60 regular-season games last season, and 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 13 playoff games last season.
What did Landeskog say about the condition of his knee?
He said the knee ” isn’t anybody’s healthy knee,” but it is ” pretty close to it,” and ” the more time passes, the stronger I get.”
When does Colorado open the season and where will the Winter Classic be?
Colorado opens the season against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena in Denver on Sept. 30, and the Avalanche will play the Discover NHL Winter Classic at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Dec. 31.
Coach Mark Comment
Landeskog’s progress gives Colorado a valuable option, but the real test is sustaining it through the rhythm of an 84-game season. His game does not need to look exactly as it did before the injury; consistent availability, competitive detail and timely production would make a significant difference for the Avalanche.
What Comes Next
Colorado opens the regular season against the Los Angeles Kings at Ball Arena in Denver on Sept. 30. The Avalanche then face the Utah Mammoth in the Discover NHL Winter Classic at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Dec. 31.
IHM Final View
Landeskog’s assessment is encouraging, but measured. He has completed a long recovery, returned to contribute last season and believes he can take another step. Over the coming months, the focus will be on whether he can sustain that progress and help Colorado turn its regular-season standard into playoff success.
