Mar 16, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog (R) greets center Nathan MacKinnon (29) for an on ice presentation celebrating his 1,000th career point before the game against the Dallas Stars at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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Gabriel Landeskog Injury Update – When will the Colorado Avalanche Captain be back?

Colorado Avalanche's captain, Gabriel Landeskog, is set to make his long-awaited return after a tough recovery journey.

Gabriel Landeskog, the captain of the Colorado Avalanche, is finally on the verge of making his long-awaited return to the ice. It’s been a tough few years for the 32-year-old forward, who hasn’t played since June 2022 after helping the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. Since then, Landeskog has been fighting through knee issues, multiple surgeries, and a long recovery process. But now, after nearly three years away from the game, it looks like he’s ready to come back.

Gabriel Landeskog has been activated from Injured Reserve. pic.twitter.com/TNQ8Mphago
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 21, 2025

When will the Colorado Avalanche captain be back?

Landeskog has officially been activated by the Avalanche, and there’s a good chance he could return in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars. Although coach Jared Bednar hasn’t confirmed if Landeskog will suit up right away, his return is looking more and more likely as the playoffs heat up.

Landeskog’s journey back has been a long one. After injuring his knee in 2020, he’s had four surgeries, including one last year to help with a cartilage issue. He even spent some time with the Colorado Eagles, the Avs’ AHL affiliate, to get back into playing shape, where he scored a goal and added an assist.

Gabriel Landeskog is on the ice for warmups! 👀 #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/PvsKPUsD9z
— NHL (@NHL) April 22, 2025

The fact that Landeskog is even in a position to return is remarkable. The surgery he had last year was a cartilage transplant; it’s something no NHL player has come back from before. But Landeskog has always been known for his determination, and now, after all the setbacks, he’s ready to make his comeback.

It’s hard to know how quickly he’ll get back to his best, but just having him back in the locker room has already given the team a huge boost. His leadership and presence are invaluable to the Avalanche, and his return could be exactly what the team needs as they push for another Stanley Cup.

So, while we don’t know exactly when Landeskog will be back on the ice, it’s clear that his return is right around the corner, and Avalanche fans are eager to see him lead the team once again.

Image Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Gabriel Landeskog

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!