Overview

• Gabriel Landeskog played his first professional game in 1,020 days, suiting up for the Colorado Eagles in a conditioning assignment after a severe knee injury sidelined him for nearly three years.
• Landeskog's return comes after undergoing a groundbreaking cartilage transplant surgery in May 2023, a procedure no NHL player has previously come back from.
• In his debut game, Landeskog played nearly 15 minutes, engaged physically with opponents, and received widespread support from fans and players alike, including a standing ovation at Blue Arena in Loveland, Colorado.
• The Avalanche captain's performance is being closely monitored to determine his readiness for a potential activation in time for Colorado's first-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars next week.
• Landeskog's comeback has drawn significant media attention, including a documentary series chronicling his recovery and the emotional journey back to professional hockey.