Gabriel Landeskog is sounding like a player who believes the wait is over.
The Colorado Avalanche captain told NHL.com that he expects more from himself in 2026-27, and he made it clear he feels the difference in his body and his game.
“I am expecting myself to take another step. I’ve had a great summer. There’s a huge difference from 12 months ago.”
That kind of statement carries real weight for Colorado, because Landeskog’s road back has been anything but simple. The 33-year-old battled through what could have been a career-ending injury in 2020, then spent three years in rehab before returning for the 2025 playoffs.
Last season, he played in 60 games. Along the way, he dealt with broken ribs early in 2026 and also was the victim of friendly fire. Even with those setbacks, he still produced 14 goals and 35 points while logging more than 16 minutes per night.
And as important as the numbers were, they only tell part of the story. Landeskog’s value has always stretched beyond scoring, and his leadership has helped push the Avalanche back into Stanley Cup contender territory. The NHL rewarded that work this past season with the Bill Masterton Trophy.
Now, Landeskog says the right knee that has been part of this long comeback is in a much better place.
“It’s not anybody’s healthy knee,” Landeskog said. “But it’s pretty close to it, and the more time passes, the stronger I get.”
Colorado would love to see that progress translate into something closer to the player who once posted career highs of 34 goals and 75 points. Landeskog, though, framed the target a little differently: not as a single burst, but as a season built on steady improvement.
“I’m very excited to feel this good, and I just want to continue to build my game,” Landeskog said. “And there were times when we would see it last year. But I’m excited to consistently get better as a player.”
For him, the regular season is really about preparation for what comes next. He’s not chasing the idea of being the NHL’s best team in October or November. He’s focused on making sure the Avalanche are ready when the games matter most.
“Do you care about the regular season? Not really,” Landeskog said.
“But you care about the playoffs. That’s all that matters.
You have to build your game. You can’t just get to the playoffs, limp into the playoffs, and say, ‘OK, let’s the flip the switch.’
That’s hard to do as well. So you have to build it, and as a group, find different ways and methods.”
That’s the message from Colorado’s captain: the goal is not just to arrive in the postseason, but to arrive sharp, healthy and ready to go.
For the Avalanche, that leaves no room for anything less than a title run. In Colorado, it’s Stanley Cup or bust in 2026-27.
In Other News...
Avalanche Camp Battle Is Already Getting Tough For Young Hopefuls
The Avalanche opened training camp with a crowded mix of 56 players, and that kind of numbers game was always going to make life difficult for young hopefuls trying to leave a mark. Colorado spent the first stretch of camp running multiple sessions with NHL regulars, prospects and AHL contract players all in the mix, while Cale Makar continued his rehab and took part in drills in a non-contact jersey.
By the end of the first wave, the roster had already been trimmed to 45, with several players sent to the Colorado Eagles and junior clubs. That early reduction is a reminder of how quickly camp can tighten for players on the fringe, especially when the Avalanche are sorting out not just depth spots but who gets the next chance to stay in the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Avalanche Face A Bigger Forward Question Than Just Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri is heading into the new NHL season with the same adaptable mindset that has made him so valuable to the Avalanche, and this year it matters even more. With roster changes altering the forward mix, Kadri is preparing to handle both center and wing duties, a reminder that Colorados lineup questions extend beyond simply finding his best fit and into how the entire group will be deployed when the games start to count.
Kadris comments carried the tone of a player comfortable with the business side of the sport, but also appreciative of the chance to chase another championship with Colorado. He pointed back to his playoff experience and the teams recent run as part of that perspective, yet the bigger issue for the Avalanche is still unresolved: how they sort out their forward structure around a player who can fill several roles and may be needed in more than one of them. [Read more 🡒]
Cale Makar's Status Looms Over Avalanche's First Preseason Decisions
The Avalanche are starting preseason with a fairly typical split plan, leaning on mostly NHL regulars at home while giving some veterans the night off for the road games. Head coach Jared Bednar said goaltender Ilya Nabokov, forwards Nikita Prischepov and Taylor Makar, and defenseman Alex Gagne will be held out of the first set of road work because they are slated to play in both home games, a small early reminder that even in September, the team is already balancing minutes and evaluation.
The bigger watch, of course, is Cale Makar. He is still recovering from an upper-body injury and will not take part in the first two preseason games, but the Avalanche expect him to skate individually and be back in the mix for later practices and games. For a team trying to get its first look at camp battles without losing sight of its top defenseman, his timetable remains the detail hanging over these opening decisions. [Read more 🡒]