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Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog takes major step toward playoff return

Originally posted on Oilers Daily | By Liam McCormick | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 3:54 PM ET

The Colorado Avalanche are rolling as one of the best teams in the West since the 4 Nations Break, and they may get even better for the playoffs with a potential return of Gabriel Landeskog.

Landeskog hasn't played since winning the Stanley Cup with the Avs back in the 2021-22 season. After that, he's undergone extensive treatment for a right knee injury that's kept him out for three full seasons.

Gabriel Landeskog at practice ramping up after teasing a potential return

The Colorado Avalanche saw an incredible sight at practice today, as their captain joined the full group and seemed to be moving very well - he wasn't even wearing a non-contact jersey.

It's not just today's practice either. Landeskog is expected to begin travelling with the team and keep ramping up in practice.

Landeskog has been followed by a camera crew documenting parts of the rehab from his intense injury after the Cup Final. At times Landeskog couldn't even walk, and after an extensive cartilage transplant, he's doing everything he can to get back to the lineup.

Gabriel Landeskog gets sudden great news for potential return to lineup

These incredible developments look like Landeskog may really be able to return to play. After so long with such little information, it looked like his NHL career may have been over.

When he was healthy and in his prime, Landeskog was a premier power forward in the NHL. At 6'1 and 215 pounds, the Swedish captain played a tough physical game and scored near a point per game in his last 4 seasons.

There's a real question as to how good Landeskog could really be after missing so long, especially coming back to play in the heated environment of the playoffs.

It'll surely be an X-factor for an already stacked Colorado team, and the Oilers could very well meet them in the second round.

Source for Landeskog stats: Gabriel Landeskog - HockeyDB

This article first appeared on Oilers Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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