How valuable has Gabriel Landeskog’s return been for the Avalanche?

The Colorado Avalanche received a massive boost for the 2025-26 season with Gabriel Landeskog returning to the lineup, getting his first taste of regular-season NHL hockey since before the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup run.

The Avalanche are 4-0-1 through their first five games, only giving up more than one goal in a contest just once. Despite only having one assist during that span, Landeskog’s impact on the lineup, both on and off the ice, is showing.

On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton are joined by Jesse Montano of Guerrilla Sports to discuss the Avalanche’s early-season success and how valuable the Avalanche captain has been for Colorado since his return to the team.

Carter Hutton: Do you think a big part of this has to do with Gabriel Landeskog being there for training camp and being a shot in the arm? You have your leader back, you have a goal who’s going to be vocal in the locker room. He’s kind of the guy that stirs the drink.

Jesse Montano: No question. I asked guys that have played with Landeskog and guys who haven’t at the start of training camp, “Is there a difference with him around?” With zero hesitation, absolutely. No question.

Head coach Jared Bednar talked about how Landeskog almost kind of existed in this layer between the coaches and players, he was that go-between. He understands what htis group needs, how he can communicate that to the coaching staff and what they need, how to communicate back to the players.

His presence is invaluable, and I think it’s really underscored how much they missed it when you see the way they’re playing to start this season.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…