Avalanche captain set to make surprise debut with new team
Photo credit: RJ Sangosti / The Denver Post
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog is set to make a surprising preseason debut with a new team on Sunday, as the Avs open their exhibition schedule the Utah Mammoth.
Landeskog will take the ice for the Denver Pioneers, marking a rare chance to suit up outside the Avalanche.
Gabriel Landeskog set to make preseason debut with DU on Sunday.
Graham Tiedtke from Mile High Sticking writes that the Avalanche expect Landeskog to return for the 2025-26 season with few, if any, restrictions after a knee injury sidelined him for three full years.
He eased back into action last spring, appearing in five playoff games for the Avs and two with the Colorado Eagles. Now, his rare opportunities to skate with teams outside the Avalanche could expand on Sunday.
"Bednar said that he wants to get Landeskog out on the ice for DU's (Denver University) game on Sunday. As it is now Sunday morning, there has been no indication that that will not happen. If you have the ability to catch the DU game, you should get to see #92 out on the ice. He will join Avalanche prospects Tory Pitnter and Jake Fisher." -Tiedkte
Last postseason, Landeskog averaged 17:13 of ice time for Colorado, showing flashes of his old self. Now, he has the chance to prove he's fully back from his devastating injury. Getting him into a game outside the Avalanche isn't just about testing his limits, it's about ramping him up beyond what practices can offer.
With the Eagles, he showed he could play physically and at a pace that locked almost unfair at the AHL level. It felt like watching a "man among boys," which was nothing short of thrilling.
"Landeskog's pending return to regular season action could spark talks of perhaps the best comeback story in NHL history. Though it's just great to see Landeskog determined and preparing for a return, it's fun to think about his return being one of the most memorable comebacks in NHL history.
Nobody in the NHL has ever come back from this unique of an injury that Landeskog had. He can and will be the first to ever do it. It remains to be seen how many games he'll play in 2025-26, but the fact that Bednar wants him to play in the DU game on Sunday makes me believe that, like Landeskog, coach doesn't anticipate many restrictions." -Tiedtke
Nobody in the NHL has ever come back from this unique of an injury that Landeskog had. He can and will be the first to ever do it. It remains to be seen how many games he'll play in 2025-26, but the fact that Bednar wants him to play in the DU game on Sunday makes me believe that, like Landeskog, coach doesn't anticipate many restrictions." -Tiedtke
Seeing Landeskog back on the ice is nothing short of inspiring. If he can keep building on his comeback, he might just play himself into the Bill Masterton Trophy, an award he was nominated for last year but ultimately lost to Sean Monahan.
Source:
Mile High Sticking
Fans can see Gabriel Landeskog in game action early, and not for the Avalanche
Mile High Sticking
Fans can see Gabriel Landeskog in game action early, and not for the Avalanche
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 21 | 18 ANSWERS Avalanche captain set to make surprise debut with new team Will this be Gabriel Landeksog's only preseason game before Colorado's season opener? | ||
| yes | 12 | 66.7 % |
| no | 6 | 33.3 % |
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