Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has been ramping up his skating in recent weeks as he attempts to get ready to attempt a comeback in the playoffs. He’ll begin the next phase this weekend, as Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette reports (Twitter link) that the winger will skate with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles today and then practice with the Avs on Monday. Landeskog hasn’t played since the 2022 playoffs when he helped lead Colorado to the Stanley Cup with continued knee trouble. With the team using Landeskog’s LTIR space to make additions at the trade deadline (including Brock Nelson and Ryan Lindgren), the 32-year-old can’t return for the stretch run but it looks as if there’s a chance he could be available to them for the playoffs.
More from Colorado:
- The Eagles announced the signing of defenseman Hank Kempf to a two-year contract beginning next season plus an ATO to finish up this year. The Avalanche acquired the 22-year-old from the Rangers in late February as part of the Lindgren trade and he recently wrapped up his college career at Cornell where he had seven points in 36 games this season. This contract means that the Avs intend to let Kempf’s NHL rights lapse, technically making him an unrestricted free agent in mid-August but they’ll keep him in the organization for now with this deal.
- Kevin Mandolese’s stint with the big club was short-lived. The Avalanche returned him to the Eagles, relays Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports (Twitter link). He was recalled on Wednesday, serving as the backup on Thursday with Mackenzie Blackwood not in uniform for that game. The 24-year-old has played in 17 games with the Eagles this season, putting up a 2.86 GAA along with a .905 SV% and has just three career NHL appearances under his belt, all coming with Ottawa during the 2022-23 campaign.