The Colorado Avalanche are one step closer to getting their captain back on the ice. On Wednesday morning, the team officially loaned Gabriel Landeskog to their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, for a conditioning stint—signaling a major milestone in his return from long-term injury.
The 31-year-old forward hasn’t played since the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run. Following cartilage transplant surgery in May 2023, Landeskog has been working through a tough rehabilitation process, missing the entirety of the 2023–24 season.
Now, after months of speculation, the former Cup-winning captain is ready to test game-speed scenarios in a lower-pressure setting.
“Gabriel Landeskog has been loaned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning assignment,” the Avalanche announced via social media.
This move is strictly performance-based—not a demotion. The AHL assignment gives Landeskog the chance to ease back into competitive hockey without the immediate intensity of NHL playoff action. If all goes well, his return to the Avalanche lineup could be just around the corner.
What It Means for Colorado
Even without their captain, the Avalanche have had a solid season. But Landeskog’s leadership, physical edge, and all-around skill have been sorely missed. His return could provide a late-season spark—and a valuable dose of playoff experience.
He remains one of the league’s most reliable two-way forwards and a crucial piece of Colorado’s power play and leadership core.
While there’s no set timeline for his full NHL return, this stint with the Eagles is the strongest indication yet that Landeskog could be back just in time to chase another Stanley Cup with the Avs. Fans and teammates alike will be watching closely—and hoping for the best.
