Colorado finally gets the piece they've needed for so long
Photo credit: Athlon Sports / Antonio Losada
It feels like forever since the Avalanche last lifted the Stanley Cup, and just as long since Gabriel Landeskog suited up for a regular season game. Could his return be the missing piece for another deep playoff run?
It certainly appears that everything falls into place when Landeskog is in the lineup for the Avalanche.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog is all the Colorado Avalanche were missing for Stanley Cup.
Jacob Punturi of Breakaway On Si emphasized that Landeskog isn't just one of many pieces for the Avalanche, he's the missing piece.
"Landeskog returned in impressive fashion, which was hardly a surprise for the Avalanche. The 32-year-old Swedish forward made his grand re-entrance during Game 3 of Colorado's first-round series against the Dallas Stars. The Avs would lose the series in seven games, but Landeskog's impact was noticeable immediately. He recorded one goal and three assists for four points in five contests." -Punturi
Landeskog also appears more motivated than ever to get back to the glory days in Denver.
"Really excited to just have an offseason in the bank now and going into training camp as if I'm just anybody else on the team," he said. "It's nice to just come to work and try to play as well as I can to help the team win, right?" -Landeskog
Head coach Jared Bednar made it clear: there will be no easing Landeskog back in. After a strong offseason, the Swede is set to jump straight into full action with the rest of the Avalanche.
"He's feeling great, so he'll be full-go, and I think we just have to monitor that and make our decisions like in the moment," he said. "I'm not going to limit his minutes. I'm not going to sit him out games when he's feeling good or take practices off when he's feeling good. If at any point he comes to me, just like any other player, and he's fatigued or he's not feeling like he's ready to practice for whatever reason, then we'll play cautiously.» -Bednar
It finally seems like everything is coming together for the Avalanche and after several frustrating seasons, a lot of excitement is brewing in the mile high city, and Landeskog caps off that excitement.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 19 | 24 ANSWERS Colorado finally gets the piece they've needed for so long Is captain Gabriel Landeskog the only piece the Colorado Avalanche were missing to win a Stanley Cup? | ||
| yes | 12 | 50 % |
| no | 12 | 50 % |
| List of polls | ||
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