Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog’s health update will excite fans

The Colorado Avalanche saw Gabriel Landeskog return to the ice full-time last season. Landeskog had struggled with knee injuries that kept him out for two seasons. The Avalanche captain was a fixture in the lineup last season. And he’s hoping to make an even bigger impact this season.

Landeskog and the Avalanche suffered a brutal defeat in the Western Conference Finals. They had Stanley Cup ambition, and they came up well short. Heading into this season, though, it appears that Colorado is going to have its captain at full strength.

“I am expecting myself to take another step,” the 33-year-old captain told NHL.com during a recent interview. “I’ve had a great summer. There’s a huge difference from 12 months ago.”

Landeskog was an important depth player for the Avalanche during the 2025-26 campaign. He scored 14 goals and 35 points in 60 regular-season games. The captain added six goals and 11 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs before the West Final defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Back in 2022, Landeskog led the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup. Colorado defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to claim its first Stanley Cup since 2001. Since then, though, Colorado has failed to make the Final.

The Avalanche are not shy about their Stanley Cup ambitions. Cale Makar received a record-breaking contract due to Colorado’s desire to win, and win soon. Having a healthy Landeskog in the lineup certainly gives this team more of a chance to hoist the Cup once again.