Deen’s Daily: Gabriel Landeskog Plays First Pro Game in 1,020 Days

The long-awaited return of the Avalanche’s captain has arrived — at least at the AHL level. Gabriel Landeskog wore No. 92 and played on a line with T.J. Tynan and Oskar Olausson. Also, the Habs couldn’t quite lock in their playoff spot, although it’s going to be tough for any team to unseat them from the final spot in the Eastern Conference.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — April 12.

Colorado Hockey Now

Landeskog made his return to pro hockey after a long, long three years. On Friday, he suited up for the AHL’s Colorado Eagles exactly 1,020 days since he helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay on June 26, 2022.

WATCH: Gabe Landeskog’s Full Media Availability

Landeskog was part of the starting lineup, which was fitting given that he was on the ice until the final buzzer in his last game and started this one.

There’s no saying where things go from here, at least not yet. Landeskog and the Avalanche both plan on taking this day by day. Read more about Landeskog’s return, including comments from the captain himself.

No. 92, Gabriel Landeskog pic.twitter.com/TzYEqxa9dP

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) April 12, 2025

Around The NHL

Calgary Stays Alive: The Flames are still alive in the Western Conference wildcard race, albeit they’re still hanging by a thread. On Friday, they defeated the team they’re chasing in the standings, the Minnesota Wild, 4-2.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Sidney Crosby is putting up valiant efforts every single night as the playoff-less season winds down for the Penguins. This time, he was a key piece of a comeback win over the Devils.

Montreal Hockey Now: An updated look at the wildcard odds after the Habs lost and the Red Wings won on Friday.

Detroit Hockey Now: Detroit defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in OT. Nikita Kucherov, who is tied with Nathan MacKinnon in points, did not register a point and was a -3. I believe the tiebreaker for the Art Ross Trophy is goals, and Kucherov leads MacKinnon by three in that category.

Philadelphia Hockey Now: The Flyers have been linked to Rick Tocchet since John Tortorella was fired and the Vancouver Canucks are not happy.