Gabriel Landeskog took the ice on Tuesday night for a season opener for the first time in four years and played well in a defensive forward role during the Colorado Avalanche's big win over the Los Angeles Kings. Earlier that day, former teammate Tyson Barrie shared his thoughts on Landeskog returning to the ice for the regular season during an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek alongside Greg Wyshynski.
When Wyshynski asked about Landeskog, Barrie said, "You just felt for him. You know, he was off. He was down. He wasn't himself, and then I got to see him this summer, and, (laughs) he's back. He's buzzing, he's having a good time. You could see it in his eyes, and he just looks like himself."
Barrie played alongside Landeskog for eight seasons, so you can count on him to know more about what Landeskog's value is to the Avalanche than most. While the Avs only had one deep playoff run with Barrie and Landeskog wearing the same uniform, Landeskog's presence and leadership ultimately transformed the Avalanche into a Stanley Cup Champion.
And to say Landeskog deserved serious consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy is an understatement. While the Smythe ultimately went to Cale Makar, Landeskog put up 22 points and 11 goals in 20 postseason games, garnered a plus-15 rating, and averaged 20:58 of ice time.
Fans may not see that version of Landeskog in 2025-26, but Barrie's quip about where Landeskog was and where he is now drives home the point that his passion and dedication to the Avs are still front and center.
Gabriel Landeskog will make his presence felt with the Colorado Avalanche
Regardless of the role Landeskog plays, whether it's fourth-line minutes or if his role evolves into something more, expect him to be the glue that keeps this championship-caliber team together. Landeskog didn't spend three seasons working his way back to merely take up a spot on the ice, and he will drive that point home often in 2025-26.
In the 2025 playoffs, he showed he could still play at a high level, and you will see shades of that this year. But if the Avs need him to put up gritty play in every shift, that's what he will do. The rest of the team will look at Landeskog as an inspiration, and his presence puts a chip on their shoulder to win another Cup for their captain.
Throughout the last three seasons, the Avalanche were still among the best teams in hockey and surefire contenders, but there was always something missing. That's no longer the case in 2025-26 with Landeskog back on the ice, and nobody knows that more than Tyson Barrie.