Colorado Avalanche fans everywhere were tuned in to watch American League Hockey the last two nights. As the Avalanche regular season draws to a close Sunday in Anaheim, most of the fanbase is still buzzing about what went down in Loveland.
With the big club's first round meeting with Dallas more or less assumed, and now confirmed, I have really enjoyed highlighting some fun happenings on the organization's periphery. First, it was Jacob MacDonald's quest for history. Then, it was the unexpected playoff clash of Russian prospects. All due respect for those storylines, but today I've got a monster for you, Avs faithful.
We have waited a long time to see Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog glide onto ice again. Friday's return was one massive step forward in the journey back from career-altering surgeries. Landeskog is forging a path in recovery that is entirely his own in the hockey world. It has taken three seasons and over one thousand days to reach this point.
There were plenty of observers who doubted this day would ever arrive. Indeed, after so long away from the game it would be understandable if another guy in Gabriel Landeskog's skates might have decided to hang them up. But Landeskog is not just another guy. He is the captain of the Avalanche.
He last logged National Hockey League minutes on June 26th, 2022, lifting the Stanley Cup on that same wrecked knee. Landeskog might have been forgiven for kissing the Cup and riding off into the sunset, but at 32, he's still got more to give.
What it means to be captain
Landeskog has always been an exceptional hockey player. When Colorado named the Swedish forward captain in 2012, at 19, he was the youngest player ever to receive such an honor. Even then, the organization understood they had a man with remarkable character and leadership qualities.
The mere fact that Colorado has repeatedly chosen to skate without a captain on the ice for years should speak volumes. The Avalanche boast one of the most talented rosters in the NHL with reigning MVP Nathan MacKinnon, and Norris, and Conn Smyth winner Cale Makar as franchise cornerstones. One would assume they have a leader worthy of wearing the C on their sweater in Landeskog's stead.
But in that locker room, Landeskog is so much of a presence that apparently, it just never felt right to take away. Maybe it has been used within the organization as just another motivating factor in Landeskog's fight to get back. Honestly, if so, it‘s a beautifully poetic touch. This team clearly loves their captain.
The Avalanche standouts who rested Saturday: MacKinnon, Makar, Devon Toews, Ross Colton, and Josh Manson, were all on hand to witness Landeskog's first game back. You might also remember during the offseason, how Erik Johnson, then still with the Philadelphia Flyers, visited Colorado just to skate with his best friend.
Johnson is of course, back with the Avalanche now, and that deadline acquisition might have been the moment I said to myself that this return was really, truly on the table. It might have been glossed over for more flashy trades, but it was an all-timer in terms of vibe checks.
Assessing the actual games Gabriel Landeskog has played in
When it comes to narratives and pure fandom, the Landeskog story is already huge. It's a heartstrings player for the ages. But what then can we say about the raw reality of potential on-ice impact?
I'll be completely honest and say that I tried my hardest to remove expectations from this weekend. It felt like such a victory for Landeskog to be anywhere near a live game. I, like most Avalanche fans, have been watching every leak of footage with Landeskog skating at practice.
After literal years of this though, it felt like my own private mania, to fixate on a maybe, and watch a guy skate around a mostly empty rink hoping for miracles. So when Landeskog played Friday, and looked like, well, himself, it was quite cathartic.
The Eagles secured a 2-0 win on Friday in the first half of a two game set with the Henderson Silver Knights. Trent Miner was perfect in net, so of course the good guys won. But keying on Landeskog, the number one item on my personal checklist was seeing how he took physical contact. Thankfully, he passed that test with flying colors.
Landeskog's first real stat logged was actually a penalty for hooking. The two minutes in the box were uneventful enough, but it was strangely reassuring to see that he was fine to go in and mix it up. Further illustrating that point, Landeskog got right in the middle of a little scrum in the latter part of the first. Landeskog put a Henderson player in a headlock and got a talking to from a ref. I may or may not have screamed "That's my captain".
Again, this is an everyday occurrence in hockey. But that's precisely why hockey is different from even the other so-called major sports. Specifically, it's why being a captain in hockey always comes with more responsibility. Landeskog was not wearing a letter for the Eagles, but it was downright heartwarming to see him react exactly how he would on the Avalanche.
The Eagles were comfortable using Landeskog in all situations, and that too should be encouraging. Landeskog was out there for roughly 15 shifts. He of course saw plenty of 5-on-5, but was on both special teams units as well.
Somewhat surprisingly Landy's best chance at scoring came on the penalty kill. If he had buried that shorthanded goal the ice would have probably melted in Loveland. Importantly though, Landeskog's positioning looked good, and familiar to anyone who knows his game. He frequently got to the front of the net and looked for those signature tips and potential put-backs.
The second game, last night, seemed to be going on a similar trajectory for Landeskog on a personal level. But unfortunately for the Eagles the scoreboard was not as kind through two frames. Colorado trailed 3-1 and were 0-5 on the man-advantage with most of the game gone.
Kevin Mandolese had been pulled after a rough first period, and Miner was a wall again. But it looked pretty dismal for the Eagles until with about six and half minutes remaining Landeskog retrieved a puck and made a quick pass to T.J. Tynan who then fed John Ludvig for his first goal with the Eagles to draw within one.
Then, as if fate let me write the reality I wanted, Colorado got another power play opportunity. Gabriel Landeskog's fellow countryman, defenseman Calle Rosen ripped a one-timer that Landeskog tipped home for the equalizer! Colorado tied the contest with just under four minutes left.
Miner was fantastic again, he logged five straight shutout periods against the Silver Knights. The OT was also scoreless. While I wish I could say Gabriel Landeskog won the game in the shootout, he did not. Landeskog did get a chance as the second shooter for the Eagles. But the winner came off the stick of their fourth shooter, Matthew Phillips.
I think if you asked Landeskog about that chance he would say it was fun, and that he was just glad to help where he did. It is perhaps more fitting that Phillips played hero too. He is the Eagles current points leader with 55.
What's next for Gaberiel Landeskog?
Technically, Landeskog is allowed one more start with the Colorado Eagles under the terms of his conditioning assignment. The rest of the Eagles regular season is on the road however. I would expect the captain to ramp up practice with the Avalanche over the next week and possibly return for the postseason.
An official return at home, in what would be Game Three, seems not only possible, but perhaps ideal. It might set the decibel record at Ball Arena if it plays out. Still, even a Game One debut doesn't seem impossible to me right now.
Landeskog is back, for real. While it might be foolish to expect his point a game pace, which he posted the last time he played NHL games, I would like to state for the record, that's where he is right now, after this weekend.
In all seriousness, Landeskog looks like the perfect compliment to this current roster. The unknown nature of his recovery means that it would be cruel to place particular expectations on production. But stylistically he could still be a fantastic fit.
The Avalanche captain remains the personification of hard work and dedication. Landeskog loves the front of the net area, he might need reps to get his timing, but he proved his stick is still clutch when it counts.
At the very least Landeskog will provide the best possible example of why this team should never quit. For any of Colorado's in-season acquisitions the way his longtime teammates respond to him will potentially be eye-opening. Just as Landeskog has showcased his commitment to hockey, the wider organization has shown unprecedented trust in him.
Stanley Cups are not won on the emotional pull of a storyline. If they were, I would say start engraving those names tomorrow. The long-awaited return of the captain might be the perfect cherry to top off a tumultuous season. It could also be merely a prologue to the greatest hockey legend I'll ever know. Tap those sticks, hug your goalie and get ready. The real chase starts now.