Captain Gabriel Landeskog rejoins the Avalanche after 2-game minor-league rehab assignment

DENVER (AP) — Gabriel Landeskog has rejoined the Colorado Avalanche after taking part in a two game minor-league rehab assignment.

The team said Tuesday the captain’s conditioning loan to the American Hockey League’s Colorado Eagles was terminated. He played games for the Eagles on Friday and Saturday in the latest step toward a return from a knee injury that has led to two surgeries and caused him to miss the past three regular seasons.

Last weekend was the first time the 32-year-old Landeskog has played in a professional game since hoisting the Stanley Cup in late June 2022. It was a successful minor-league stint for Landeskog, too, filled with hard checks, tumbles to the ice, a scrum where he put a player in a headlock and even a goal.

He told reporters after Saturday’s game his knee feels “really good.”

“Obviously, I’ve been skating for a long time now, and I’ve been working on all nuances of skating,” he added. “It’s one thing to be on the ice and skate and do certain drills, but it’s another one to do it in a game — game speed and game intensity. I know I put the work in. I know I’ve put my time in and now this weekend, I’ve gotten a chance to just not put it to the test but take the next step and just trust my training — trust where my knee’s at, and it’s been feeling really good.”

Colorado Eagles forward Gabriel Landeskog, left, congratulates goalie Trent Minor after the Eagles defeated the Henderson Silver Kings in a minor league hockey game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Loveland, Colo. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via AP)

The Swedish forward could be activated as soon as the end of the regular season to play this weekend in Game 1 of the Avalanche’s first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars.

His return is a major boost for Colorado, especially given the difficult path through the Western Conference.

“Not anywhere near where I want it to be,” Landeskog said after his performance Saturday. “But I think it’s a good step in the right direction.”

FILE – Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) skates during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
FILE – Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) lifts the Stanley Cup after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, file)
Colorado Eagles forward Gabriel Landeskog, right, is trailed by Henderson Silver Knights defenseman Lucas Johansen in the second period of a minor league hockey game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Loveland, Colo. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via AP)
Colorado Eagles forward Gabriel Landeskog, front, skates past Henderson Silver Knights goalie Cameron Whitehead in the third period of a minor league hockey game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Loveland, Colo. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via AP)

___

AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.