Avalanche coach Jared Bednar says ‘good chance’ Gabriel Landeskog plays Game 3

We are one step closer to a Gabriel Landeskog return to the NHL.

Just earlier this week, the Colorado Avalanche announced that Landeskog was activated off long-term injured reserve and would take the pre-game skate. It got all the way to line rushes before Game 2 against the Dallas Stars before a decision was made that Landeskog was not ready to return.

On Wednesday, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said on Altitude 92.5 FM, “There’s a good chance.” Landeskog plays Game 3 versus the Stars.

The series is tied at 1-1 as the Avalanche will host Dallas in Game 3 on Wednesday.

Landeskog appeared in two games with the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, where he tallied one goal and one assist.

The Stockholm, Sweden native was a pivotal member of the 2021-22 Stanley Cup-winning Avs squad; he registered 30 goals and 59 points in 51 regular-season games and followed that up with 11 goals and 22 points in 20 postseason games to capture his first Stanley Cup

“This is a slow form of torture,” Landeskog said last season in regards to missing out on playoff action. “Win or lose, you want to be out there with the guys.”

Landeskog underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after winning the Cup in 2022, and setbacks forced him to miss the entire 2022-23 season, including the playoffs. In May 2023, the team announced he would undergo another procedure on his knee, a cartilage transplant, and would miss the entire 2023-24 regular season.

“Until I’ve exhausted every option, I’m just going to continue pushing forward,” Landeskog said. “I’m confident in the player I am. I’m confident in the athlete I am.”

Landeskog was drafted second overall by Colorado in the 2011 NHL Draft. Through 738 career games over parts of 11 regular seasons with the Avalanche, Landeskog has collected 248 goals and 571 points. The six-foot-one left winger has added 27 goals and 67 points in 69 career playoff contests.