Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has played in every game so far this year.
That’s a remarkable feat, given he hadn’t played in the regular season since March of 2022.
By now you know about Landeskog’s incredible journey back from multiple knee surgeries, including cartilage replacement. He returned in the playoffs to face the Dallas Stars and is now out there on a nightly basis for head coach Jared Bednar.
And while we’ve heard from Landeskog throughout this journey, he gave perhaps his most unique interview on Thursday. Former teammate turned ESPN analyst Erik Johnson stopped by Landeskog’s house for a chat before the Avalanche took on the Panthers.
This was excellent.@6ErikJohnson stops by Gabe Landeskog’s house for a compelling conversation on the captain’s return to the @Avalanche.
As seen on The Point on ESPN2. pic.twitter.com/SFybIw0zz9
— Mike Monaco (@MikeMonaco_) December 12, 2025
There’s a lot to unpack from that and plenty of excellent answers. Perhaps the best one is Gabriel Landeskog saying his son, who’s now getting older, didn’t necessarily believe his dad was a great professional hockey player.
It sounds like Landeskog used that as even more fuel during his grueling rehab, wanting to show his growing family that he can still compete in the best league in the world.
Also, Landeskog plays off the role his leadership has brought to Colorado’s incredible start to the season. But Johnson isn’t wrong — the Avalanche likely wouldn’t be an absurd 22-2-7 without the captain back in the lineup.
And finally, while acknowledging there’s still a ton of work to go, Landeskog isn’t afraid to discuss winning the Stanley Cup this season. He talks about “manifesting” things and how the Cup would likely go to Colorado defenseman Brent Burns first if the Avs win it all.
Good on Gabriel Landeskog for granting the interview and good on “EJ” — who’s made the transition from player to broadcaster quite nicely.
