Avalanche activate Gabriel Landeskog ahead of Game 2 vs. Stars

The Colorado Avalanche activated forward and captain Gabriel Landeskog from injured reserve Monday ahead of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at the Dallas Stars.

Due to a series of setbacks with his injured right knee, Landeskog has not played in an NHL game since hoisting the Stanley Cup with Colorado on June 26, 2022.

Avs coach Jared Bednar did not rule out playing Landeskog on Monday night, only saying at the morning skate, "We'll see. I haven't decided yet."

The Avalanche may have a need at forward after Ross Colton left Game 1 with a lower-body injury.

Landeskog, 32, played two games for the AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles earlier this month and tallied one goal and one assist in his conditioning stint.

He has undergone several procedures on his right knee, including cartilage transplant surgery in May 2023. No NHL player has returned from such a procedure, though Lonzo Ball of the NBA's Chicago Bulls had it performed in March 2023 and came back in 2024-25.

Landeskog has recorded 571 points (248 goals, 323 assists) in 738 games over 11 seasons with the Avalanche.

--Field Level Media