Gabriel Landeskog Joins First Practice With Avalanche — Still Not Taking Contact

Gabriel Landeskog was on the ice at Family Sports on Monday, joining his team for the full length of practice.

The captain did not take contact but it was a pivotal day in his recovery regardless. This is the first time all season that he’s joined a full practice with the team rather than a shorter morning skate. It’s also the first time he remained on the ice the entire skate, partaking in all skating drills but without contact.

“He’s making strides. This rehab is not linear. There are lots of peaks and valleys in it,” head coach Jared Bednar said. “But he’s still making progress, obviously feeling comfortable enough to join the team with certain drills. So hopefully that continues and continues to grow, and working to a point of a return.”

Gabriel Landeskog is practicing with his team today. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/OmH6zbbRse

— Colleen Flynn (@CHNFlynn) March 17, 2025

Landeskog is also set to travel on the upcoming road trip through Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Bednar said anyone who can skate will travel with the Avs for the remainder of the season — even if they’re unfit to play. Landeskog is still hoping to make a return in the playoffs, although nothing is set in stone.

“Things are going great and it’s certainly nice to have him back on the ice with our team,” Bednar said. “I mean just the energy and the attitude he brings to the ice helps everybody.”

Landeskog was all smiles in the locker room following practice. It’s the first time he was in the room with media present in probably three years. He was the last skater off the ice rather than the first.

He even joked with the equipment staff that they need to make sure his things are all packed so he can play on Wednesday. It’s safe to say he’s in good spirits.

Landeskog recently released a five-part documentary series on TNT called “A Clean Sheet” which documents his rehab and progress as he works toward a possible return. The production was alive and well at Family Sports during practice, capturing footage of what seemed like a big day in his recovery.

The weekly Sunday episodic series is two episodes in. The final edition is expected to be released close to the start of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.