Gabriel Landeskog’s 2025-26 return to the Colorado Avalanche is one of the most anticipated subjects in all of hockey. While some people are skeptical regarding whether or not he will return to the ice on time, we’ve gotten some clarity on the team’s expectations regarding their captain in the upcoming season.
On Wednesday, Landeskog, sitting alongside Nathan MacKinnon, talked with reporters and gave a positive assessment of what he expects for himself this season.
“The end-goal is to win a Stanley cup. Hopefully multiple… I didn’t grind my ass off for three years to come back to just be part of the team…probably as motivated and excited we’ve been in a long time”
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) September 17, 2025
- Gabe Landeskog
He’s got a good point. Landeskog’s goal is to help the Avalanche win a Stanley Cup, and to get back to his old self in the process. Last season’s two-game stint with the Eagles and then multiple playoff games with the Avalanche wasn’t enough, and it’s such a great feeling knowing that their captain is expecting to make his full return to the ice in the newest campaign.
It honestly brought a tear to my eye when Landeskog scored his first goal since the 2021-22 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was one of those situations where it’s hard to dislike a player. Everybody was rooting for him—even the Dallas Stars as a team, though they obviously wanted to get out with a win, which they unfortunately did.
The Colorado Avalanche need this big break
It hasn’t even reached the preseason yet and the Avalanche are scratching their heads regarding the health of the team. Mackenzie Blackwood is of the notable names who are currently dealing with an injury. While it’s not necessarily time to panic, the injury to Blackwood is untimely.
The biggest help the Avalanche could get if Blackwood is out for a little bit (to be determined) is Gabriel Landeskog’s resurgence. It’s simple, really: The more firepower you can get in front of the opponent’s net, the easier things will be defensively and for your own goaltender. If Blackwood is out for an extended period of time, hopefully Scott Wedgewood could be a solid fill-in. Personally, I liked what Wedgewood brought in net last season.
Having Landeskog healthy for the entire year—or at least most of it—eliminates a wing position that needs help. He’s lined up as the second-line left wing, with newly-signed Victor Olofsson and Ivan Ivan manning the third and fourth left wing positions. The fourth line could use some improvement as a whole, but that’s a story for another time.
Landeskog is also on the team’s first power play unit. He has 150 power play goals in his career, including 15 in each of the last three seasons he played. His career-best is 27 power play goals, so it’s no shock that he’s a crucial element in that phase of the game.
The Avalanche play their first preseason game this Sunday against the Utah Mammoth. Their regular season starts on October 7 in Los Angeles against the Kings.