As players have started to trickle into town to prepare for training camp and the new season, the captain has led the charge for skates at Family Sports. Informal practices with Gabe Landeksog present and a full participant? That’s a nice change. It’s been four long years since we’ve seen this.

Among the others that have skated in recent weeks, Brent Burns is in town and on the ice. Brock Nelson also skated before making his way to Plymouth, Mich., for the USA Hockey orientation camp. And of course, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews are in Calgary for Canada’s camp.

The Avs also have quite a few younger players skating. Nikita Prishchepov has been a staple of these skates, as well as Zakhar Bardakov, Sean Behrens, and recently, Gavin Brindley.

Behrens will participate in the rookie showcase at South Suburban Sports Complex in Highlands Ranch coming up on Sept. 12. And Brindley, Colorado’s most recent trade acquisition, is hoping to find a role with the club after being part of the deal that sent Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

I’d suspect next week after Labor Day is when these skates will start to intensify on a regular basis. Perhaps that includes appearances from other notables like Mackenzie Blackwood, Valeri Nichushkin, Artturi Lehkonen, and Martin Necas.

The Avs open camp three weeks from today — on Sept. 18 at Family Sports. And per usual, all skates at that rink will be open to the public.

The post Landeskog, Burns Among Avalanche Participating in Recent Skates appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

Let’s start with the Avs’ dominating Game 1 win, which looked similar to Game 4. The most notable change was that Gabriel Landeskog was not in the lineup for Game 1 but was for Game 4. How much of a difference did his return make? It has been resounding.

Avalanche at Dallas Stars Game 5: Building Off The Last One — How Will DeBoer Respond? Lines, Notes & How To Watch

“I was surprised with the level of play he got to, even just in game one. The poise he has with the puck. I was just worried about the game being a little bit too fast for him, not because of his training or conditioning or skating with his leg, or any of that. It was just more of being out of the game that long, it’s a long time, and it’s hard to do, but it seems like he’s settling in nicely,” head coach Jared Bednar said after Game 4.

Nathan MacKinnon is the only Avs player to score on the man-advantage through four postseason games. The power-play units have struggled to produce and went 0-6 in Game 3.

In Game 4, the Avs scored in all scenarios — Logan O’Connor had a short-handed goal, MacKinnon scored his third power-play goal of the playoffs, and Landeskog scored his first NHL goal since June 20, 2022 on the 5-on-5.

There may have been more pressure, nerves, distraction or a combination from Landeskog’s return, or just not creating enough chances in Game 3, but they responded big to even the series with the Game 4 win. It felt like the energy of the team was different from the two games.

“We raised our level in a lot of different ways in that game compared to Game 3, compared to Game 2. Game 3, we still played a pretty good game, but Game 4 is definitely noticeable difference the right way, and that paid off for us …,” Charlie Coyle said. “Whatever we did there was definitely the recipe, because I thought we played pretty solid for the most part. So now it’s, how do we emulate that and build on that? And we’re looking to do that tonight.”

Landeskog said adjustments are made from game to game, and Brock Nelson referred to it as “cat and mouse.” The Stars will undoubtedly come out with a force back on home ice, and the Avs need to continue the momentum built last game to shut them down and take the series lead.

READ MORE: Now is Not the Time for Avs to Be Quiet

“The idea every time you step on the ice is to continue to get better as a group. It’s a good hockey team on the other side. We can expect their best game tonight. For us, we continue to focus on what we have to do and what makes us good and hard to play against, and we just need to repeat the same effort,” Landeskog said.

There isn’t one particular thing that changed from the team’s performance throughout the series. There is a word, however, that keeps coming up — focus.

“Now it’s time to get back to the focus that’s needed to beat Dallas, and I think our team wants that, everybody wants that,” Bednar said ahead of Game 4.

If the Avs stay as dialed in as they were two nights ago, they will come back to Ball Arena on Thursday up a game in the series.

The post Have the Avs Found the Blueprint to Beat the Stars? appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

Head coach Jared Bednar said the problem is the team “had some quiet players, players that we can’t afford to have be quiet, and then we flip things out. Some of those players got going, then other guys got quiet.”

It’s not for lack of effort; some players are just not at playoff intensity. But now is not the time to dial back.

READ MORE: Flynn’s Takes from Game 3: Avs’ Issues and How to Fix Them

In three games, Martin Necas has only one point and four shots on goal. Timing could not be worse for him to hit a slump. He had 10 points through the last 10 games of the season, and his production is noticeably missing.

“I thought he was a little quieter in Game 2. And tonight, again, I’d rather look back at it and study it, but I thought he did some good things, at times, maybe a little inconsistent tonight,” Bednar said after the 2-1 overtime loss on Wednesday.

Necas has not been very effective both 5-on-5 and on the power play. It appeared at Friday’s practice that Nathan MacKinnon was working with Necas to get his linemate in sync with him.

“We’re just talking about the power play stuff there, and it’s always a good thing. When you’re pretty quiet, you don’t really solve anything. Just talk about stuff — what to do better and it’s just a big part of the game and we’re trying to get that goal,” Necas told me after practice.

“I always been the guy wherever I played to try to talk a lot. It helps me and it helps my linemates out because they know where you’re going to be at and create some more chemistry.”

Necas is not the only Avs player who has been reserved in the playoffs. Brock Nelson and Joel Kiviranta are both scoreless. Although Jonathan Drouin has two points, he is a minus-2 and Bednar moved him to the third line in Friday’s practice. Gabriel Landeskog was on the second line. Morning skate was optional, with a handful of players who participated, and no inclination of what the lines will be come game time.

READ MORE: Landeskog Earns ‘Remarkable’ Promotion Ahead of Crucial Game 4 For Avalanche

The only way Colorado will get past the Stars is with the entire team operating effectively together. Bednar said they are on the same page but need to be on the same level.

“Some guys have played better in certain games than others. When you’re playing a team like the Dallas Stars, we need everyone firing on all cylinders,” Bednar said. “It’s just conversations with those guy, talking to them about what they’re feeling on the ice, and trying to give them any sort of tactical or positional advantage that we can get that might be able to help them out a little bit if we’re noticing some tendencies in their game.”

The Avs’ leaders said in the regular season that the team holds each other accountable, and that hasn’t changed with the increased pressure in the postseason.

“You’ve got to just, to some extent, control what you can control, and that’s your own work ethic and own process, but having good dialog with other guys. Everyone’s trying their best out there, but some guys have been quieter than others throughout the series,” Logan O’Connor said. “The more passengers you have in the series, the tougher it’s going to be, especially as the playoffs go on. So it’s on us to try and collectively get all the lines firing on all cylinders tonight, all the D-pairings — we need this game.”

The Avs need the focus and intensity they had in Game 1 to win Game 4 and even the series up going back to Dallas. The message to the team is everyone needs to be firing on all cylinders.

The post Now is Not the Time for Avs to Be Quiet appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

#GoAvsGo | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/kgdcjHLzPx

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 24, 2025

The 32-year-old forward suited up for Game 2 and skated in pregame warmups but did not play at American Airlines Center. He confirmed with ESPN that he will play against the Dallas Stars in Game 3 at Ball Arena.

The #GoAvsGo captain is back. pic.twitter.com/LGbKcmVHCs

— Colleen Flynn (@CHNFlynn) April 24, 2025

The last game the Avalanche captain played was the Stanley Cup Final winner on June 26, 2022 in Tampa Bay. He was dressed in burgundy for morning skate so he is expected to play on the second power-play unit.

In warmups, Landeskog skated with Charlie Coyle and Joel Kiviranta on the third line.

The post IT’S OFFICIAL: Landeskog Will Play First NHL Game Since 2022 appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

“Obviously progressing, taking a few more reps on the power play. Just a good energy guy, and obviously a leader, means a lot to the fans and the team here,” Brock Nelson said. “Definitely nice to see him. Hopefully get him in a game … Excitement is just being back home for Game 3, and if you get him, it’s even more so.”

The Avalanche will use the loud, electric home crowd to their advantage against the Dallas Stars. Former Av and current Stars forward Mikko Rantanen knows how powerful that energy is and knows it could be tough for his new team.

Avalanche vs Dallas Stars Game 3: Series Shifts to Denver — Perfect Storm For Landeskog To Return? Lines, Notes & How To Watch

“I’ve played a lot of playoff games here as a home team, and the crowd is really good here. So we gotta try to manage the crowd,” Rantanen said.

“I would expect if he’s (Landeskog) going to play, it’s going to be even louder when he hits the ice … The first period is important. We got to manage the puck, no turnovers, and just play simple road hockey, and make it boring.”

Charlie Coyle said Landeskog has made an impression on him in just the few weeks he’s known him. His return would amplify Game 3 in several ways.

“It’s always great to see him make strides, improve and get closer and closer. You’re just excited for him, for us, and it’s a great thing to see, especially putting in a few goals there at the end too,” Coyle said after morning skate. “Seems like that’s normal again, that’s how it should be.

“I could only envision the crowd out there and what they would think. But whoever’s going, whatever the lineup ends up being, we got to make the most of it. But of course, if, when he plays, whenever he plays, gonna be an exciting feeling. I know the crowd will be definitely behind us even more.”

While Bednar remained tight-lipped about his lineup and whether or not the 32-year-old Swede will be in it, one particular thing indicated he could likely play for the first time in nearly three years. Landeskog was off the ice before Miles Wood and Jimmy Vesey — the options to fill Ross Colton’s spot while he’s out with a lower-body injury. It’s typical for the players who get off the ice the earliest, will play in that night’s game.

10 Observations: The Plan All Along Was For Landeskog To Sit Out Game 2 (+)

Landeskog has an exceptional impact on the team as captain on and off the ice, and Bednar recognized the importance of his presence.

“He’s an invaluable guy to our team, not only with what he provides on the ice, but also in the locker room. And now he’s been around, obviously a lot more, because he’s gearing up and getting ready to play,” Bednar said. “We welcome him back, everyone is rooting for him. It’s a great comeback story. I trust in Gabe’s preparation, and what I’m seeing with my own eyes that he’s getting close and ready to play.”

Avs fans seem to think he will play Game 3 as well. Ticket prices soared after he skated in Game 2 pregame warmups in Dallas but did not play. If he makes his return in Game 3 at Ball Arena, it will be a historical game to experience.

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Landeskog had a stint with the AHL Colorado Eagles, playing in two games on April 11 and 12. He did not get on the scoreboard in his first professional game since he hoisted the Stanley Cup on June 26, 2022, but it was an exhilarating experience for the 32-year-old forward.

Full Schedule: Round 1, Avalanche vs Stars

“Feel great. Obviously some nerves going into it … physically, I feel great. It’s the first game in a long time, so I got plenty of things to work on and get better at, but it was a lot of fun,” Landeskog said.

He played the next night at Blue Arena and scored a goal and an assist in the Eagles’ 4-3 shootout victory over the Henderson Silver Knights.

Nathan MacKinnon watched his teammate’s return to the ice along with Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Ross Colton and Josh Manson.

“Brings joy to everybody to see him play. It’s a lot of fun. He looks great out there,” MacKinnon said. “It was awesome. I don’t know what to expect, obviously, but I thought every shift he looked better. Game two, he looked a lot better as well. He almost played 20 minutes or something like that. So, yeah, he’s in a good spot. Hopefully, he can keep progressing, and we’ll have him back here this weekend.”

The captain rejoined his team on Tuesday for an optional practice. It was a light skate, ending with him shooting pucks with MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin. While he is nearly physically good to go, being mentally ready is another challenge.

“It’s been a work in progress. Just like anything, you’re working on your physical abilities and your rehab, but also trying to stay sharp mentally. And how do I put this so it makes sense — you’re always trying to get better in all areas,” Landeskog said after his first game with the Eagles. “And for me, knowing that I missed time and knowing that there’s been ups and downs and a bit of a roller coaster, I’ve obviously had to put work into myself, my mental game, my emotional side of things, and the spiritual side of things.”

It’s been a long road for the elite Swede to get to where he is now. As he said, there is still work to do, but his teammates are thrilled to have him back in the locker room on a regular basis.

Is the Avalanche Locker Room About to Get Its Leader Gabriel Landeskog Back?

“It’s been a long road. So for everybody, back-to-back down there and feel good. It’s nice to see, and it’s got to be rewarding,” Drouin said. “I saw the work for a year and a half now, almost two years. So every day is the same, and it’s got to be hard and definitely rewarding.”

Landeskog’s return is not only an emotional lift for the team right before the playoffs, but also an offensive one as well. For now, he remains day-to-day.

“It’s exciting for us, because it may give us another option here when we get to the weekend and start playing playoff games,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “So see how he responds this week and see how it all goes. But to have another player of his caliber possibly being ready to go is only a positive one from my mind.”

It will be a game-day call for Bednar whether or not he’s in the lineup. He did not participate in heavy drills at Wednesday’s practice, which is not necessarily a reflection of his physical status.

“The conditioning part is going to be a work in progress, right? He’s just now starting to, as you saw, he was on the ice today, in practice, and that should only improve as we dig in,” Avs GM Chris MacFarland said. “Practice time is like gold, the last six, seven weeks of the season. What that afforded him was some consistent, day-to-day ice that we weren’t able to give him here. But I thought it was really good to see him on the ice, obviously, and a successful weekend, for sure.”

The Avs practice on Friday before flying to Dallas to face the Stars in Round 1/Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday night at the American Airlines Center. Puck drop is expected to be after 6:30 p.m. MT.

The post Avalanche Excited to Have Gabe Landeskog Back appeared first on Colorado Hockey Now.

The Florida Panthers beat the Buffalo Sabres in overtime to advance in the Atlantic Division race, and the Kings’ win over the Avs secured their first-round matchup with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Vegas Golden Knights’ win over the Nashville Predators secured their reign of the Pacific Division and more around the NHL in the April 13 edition of Flynn’s Daily.

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Landeskog played his second consecutive game with the Eagles at Blue Arena in Loveland, earning two points in the matchup against the Henderson Silver Knights.

Gabe gets it done. pic.twitter.com/KZqlER5NhD

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 13, 2025

“Obviously, it’s very exciting to get on the score sheet, and scoring a goal is a good feeling, no doubt, especially in a tight game like this. But I don’t think I’ve ever really tried to evaluate my game, good or bad, whether I score goals or get assists or whatever,” Landeskog said. “There are other things that I evaluate my game based off of, but no doubt it’s exciting to contribute, and I know as a player that my job is to help the team offensively, and it’s fun doing that.”

Brock Nelson scored his career 300th goal, Valeri Nichushkin earned two points, and Sam Malinski led the team in shots on goal and netted one in the 5-4 regulation loss to the Kings.

Around the NHL

Florida Hockey Now: Anton Lundell scored the game-winner for the Florida Panthers in the shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres. Carter Verhaeghe was the only Panthers player to have a multi-point game, and the Cats edged closer to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the No. 2 spot in the Atlantic Division.

 Vegas Hockey Now: Vegas beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 on fan appreciation night in their last regular-season game at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights secured the top spot in the Pacific Division with the victory.

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Landeskog practiced with the Avs on Monday and joined the AHL’s Colorado Eagles for practice on Wednesday. He flew around the ice like he’d been playing all season — an indication of where he was in his recovery and getting close to a return.

Following the Eagles’ victory, Landeskog fielded questions from the media. He spoke about his physical and mental states and his journey getting to this point.

“Feel great, obviously some nerves going into it … warm up, I was trying to figure out where, what did I used to do again, what was my routine? But I was just trying to enjoy it too, right?” Landeskog said. “Get out there and enjoy it, get into the game. Physically, I feel great. Obviously, it’s the first game in a long time, so I got plenty of things to work on and get better at, but it was a lot of fun.”

The 32-year-old forward’s last NHL game was June 26, 2022, Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, when the Avs hoisted the holy grail. He underwent several procedures to repair his knee but eventually had cartilage replacement surgery in May 2023.

He missed the last two full years and the 2024-25 regular season. In May 2024, he said he’d rejoin the team sometime between “mid-September and start of April. I feel pretty good about it.”

He did not mislead the public, getting his first game action on April 11.

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With the trade deadline approaching and only 25 games left in the regular season, it’s nearly crunch time. The team’s revolving roster because of extensive injuries and other personnel changes has been challenging, which has made Landeskog’s unknown return more impactful.

Practice Report: Manson Out, Nichushkin Return Timeline Unclear

“No change, really, or nothing new to report on Gabe’s situation,” Bednar said. “I’m sure that does have an effect on our thinking going into the deadline and what adds that we could make, or that we would pursue. I try to stay out of most of that stuff and coach the team. So, it’s not really my question, but I’m sure that has something to do with it.”

Landeskog traveled with the team to Canada before the 4 Nations break and to the media’s knowledge, he was not in Montreal for the best-on-best games.

He has not officially practiced with the team. He has skated with players at some morning skates but nothing integrated enough to imply he will be returning soon.

“That’ll be up to Gabe and our medical team when he or if he’s going to be able to come back. There’s only seven weeks left, so he’s working hard,” Bednar said. “He’s still trying to get better and get to a spot where he thinks he can play, and we’ll see if he’s able to accomplish that in the regular season, or if it’s going to take till playoffs, or if we’re going to have to go a certain length of time in the playoffs to get him back, or even if he’s going to be able to get back this year, I don’t know. It’s just kind of wait-and-see and keep putting in the work. And, yeah, we’ll hope for the best.”

The 32-year-old Swede has missed the last two seasons and undergone a knee cartilage replacement procedure but has yet to return to competition. He said (with a laugh) he planned on returning sometime “between mid-September and the start of April,” before the season began. “I feel pretty good about it.”

Since it was a rare surgery for a professional athlete there was not much of a baseline to determine an exact recovery and return timeline for the elite forward. But as the end of the season closes in, the hope to see No. 92 in the lineup dwindles as each day passes.

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