Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog’s journey back to the NHL has been a long and winding one.
After nearly three years of surgeries and painful rehab, Landeskog returned to the ice in Game 3 of the 2025 NHL playoffs against the Dallas Stars.
While the season itself ended on a sour note for the Avalanche, Landeskog’s return was a silver lining for the player and team.
Monday’s announcement that Gabriel Landeskog is among Team Sweden’s first six players on its Olympic roster is a signal that Landeskog has come full circle in his professional hockey career. It’s hard to fathom Swedes naming Landeskog to the team if he wasn’t fully healthy to play. As such, Landeskog’s inclusion can only mean one thing: He’s back to optimal playing shape.
If his play during this postseason was any indication, Landeskog is as healthy as he’s ever been. He was fast, aggressive, and quick on the puck against a tough-checking Dallas team.
For Colorado fans, seeing Landeskog’s name on the initial Olympic roster should not be a source of uneasiness. Far from it. Colorado fans should see it as a sign that their team’s captain is back and ready to contribute at the highest level possible.
That situation will hopefully spur Landeskog to a successful NHL season in 2025-26.
Looking at Gabriel Landeskog’s Olympic track record
Gabriel Landeskog, like many of his generation’s best NHLers, has limited Olympic experience if any at all.
Landeskog was on Team Sweden’s roster for the 2014 Sochi Games in Russia. The Swedes reached the final against Team Canada, earning a silver medal following a 3-0 loss to the defending champions.
The Avalanche captain had one assist in six games
during the 2014 Olympic tourney. He played a more versatile role throughout the tourney, showing great all-around play.
NHLers were not back for the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Games. The NHL eventually struck a deal with the NHLPA and IIHF to allow professional players to return to the Olympic stage in 2026 and 2030.
Considering that several of the league’s greats are in their 30s, the 2026 Games in Milano-Cortina could be the first and only chance to represent their home country in the premier best-on-best hockey tourney in the world.
Landeskog would actually be a rarity in his generation, having the opportunity to represent his country twice in Olympic competitions.
This time around, the goal will be to bring back the gold medal. With a stacked field across the board, it won’t be easy. The Swedes had a good showing at the 4 Nations Face-Off this past season, but ultimately fell short against Team USA.
But with Landeskog leading the way, Team Sweden could be back in the Final next February in Milano-Cortina.