Colorado Avalanche fans can finally hear the words they’ve been waiting nearly three years for: “Gabe Landeskog is back.” The team’s captain was activated from long-term injured reserve on Monday, hours before Game 2 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs opening-round series against the Dallas Stars.
Landeskog’s return marks a significant milestone in his recovery from a knee injury that has kept him off the ice for nearly 1,030 days. He underwent knee cartilage replacement surgery in May 2023 and is now considered the first player to have undergone this procedure and returned to NHL action.
The team’s coach, Jared Bednar, hinted that Landeskog might replace injured forward Ross Colton in Game 2, saying “we’ll see” if Colton can’t play. Colton took only one shift in Game 1 and was described by Bednar as not feeling well on Monday morning.
Fans are eager to see Landeskog back on the ice, and his friend Mikko Rantanen is among them. Rantanen expressed support for Landeskog’s recovery process and praised him for persevering despite setbacks. “He’s a really good player,” Rantanen said. “So when he comes back, we’ve got to be ready for him.”
Landeskog practiced with the team throughout the week leading into Game 1 but didn’t play. He participated in Monday’s morning skate ahead of Game 2, taking another step towards his return to the ice.
The Colorado Avalanche’s docuseries “A Clean Sheet” has chronicled Landeskog’s recovery process, and fans can now see him back on the ice after a long and challenging journey.
Source: https://www.denverpost.com/2025/04/21/avalanche-gabe-landeskog-comeback-injury-game-2-stars