Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog practices with Eagles: “He looked great”

LOVELAND — Taylor Makar has been with the Colorado Eagles for a week and has one career AHL game on his resume. That made him the second most experienced player at this level on his line Wednesday at practice.

Skating next to Makar was Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog, who joined the Eagles on a conditioning assignment. He could play in his first game since the 2022 Stanley Cup Final as soon as this weekend when the Eagles host the Henderson Silver Knights at Blue Arena.

It would also be his first career AHL contest because he went straight to the NHL after being the No. 2 pick in the 2011 NHL draft.

“It was pretty amazing,” Makar, the younger brother of Avs star defenseman Cale Makar, said. “I popped out there and didn’t really know the lines or anything. Saw him in a blue jersey with me and Oskar (Olausson). That was pretty cool to see, and it was a really fun experience.”

Landeskog’s last moment on the ice with the Avalanche came when NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly handed him the Stanley Cup in 2022. It’s been more than 1,000 days since then.

The Avs captain had four procedures done on his right knee, the most recent being knee ligament replacement surgery in May 2023. No player has had that procedure and returned to NHL action, but Lonzo Ball had it done in March 2023 and has returned to play for the Chicago Bulls this season.

Landeskog has been on the ice with the Avalanche regularly in recent weeks. He practiced with the Avs last season during the playoffs as well.

“It just seems to me like it’s getting closer. It is different this time,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said on his weekly coach’s show Wednesday morning. “He’s made progress over the years, but he’s never gotten to this point. I would say I’m excited for him. I can see the excitement in him, and that’s making me excited.

“Everyone is rooting for him to get back. It’s been a long journey for him. The bottom line is everyone wants to see him play, and I think he can come back and help our team.”

This was his second time with the Eagles — Landeskog participated in a morning skate this past weekend while the Avs were on the road.

“I am not here to judge any part of his journey or any part of his progression, but he jumped right into practice, did all the drills, worked hard,” Eagles coach Aaron Schneekloth said. “Looked like a hockey player.”

Because Landeskog is still on long-term injured reserve with the Avalanche, this conditioning assignment can be for a maximum of six days or three games, per the NHL CBA. He does not count against the Avs’ 23-man roster and the club’s salary cap situation remains unchanged.

The Avs could petition NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for an extension if they feel it’s needed. A team spokesman said Landeskog would practice Wednesday, and there could be an update on his next step in the next day or two.

The Eagles play Friday and Saturday at home, then they have three more regular-season games on the road before the Calder Cup Playoffs begin.

“I’m sure I’ll get some direction if it comes down to it, if he does get into a game with us,” Schneekloth said. “I’m sure I’ll get direction on what he wants and what he feels he needs. But today was a full practice, and he participated, and he looked great.

“We just treat it like he’s part of our team. We’re going to coach him. We’re going to have him be a part of it for however long that is. It’s part of our responsibility. It’s no different than a young guy or a prospect or a free agent signing coming in. We’re going to give him the work that he needs to have success, and we’ll do the same with Gabe.”

There are four players on the Eagles’ roster who spent time with Landeskog when they played in previous seasons for the Avalanche, including team captain Jayson Megna. Several of the Eagles have also spent time in Denver with the NHL club this season and Landeskog was a regular in and around the team facilities.

“Definitely a little bit strange. Never expected to see him here, that’s for sure,” Megna said. “But I think overall, just super happy for him and his recovery journey. It seems like he’s getting close.

“You can’t say enough about Gabe and what he’s done and meant for the organization in total. His leadership, the way he works every day and just how he is as a human being. The way he treats guys and the staff, the coaches, he’s just a top-notch human being, obviously a wonderful hockey player. To get him back in any capacity would be a huge win for the organization.”

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