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 championship on his resume That made him the second the bulk experienced contestant 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 tournament since the 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 pick in the NHL draft It was pretty amazing Makar the younger brother of Avs star defenseman Cale Makar announced 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 It s been more than days since then The Avs captain had four procedures done on his right knee the most of fresh being knee ligament replacement surgery in May No member has had that procedure and returned to NHL action but Lonzo Ball had it done in March and has returned to play for the Chicago Bulls this season Landeskog has been on the ice with the Avalanche regularly in new 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 disclosed 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 group 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 revealed 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 -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 club spokesman noted 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 particular direction if it comes down to it if he does get into a battle with us Schneekloth reported I m sure I ll get direction on what he wants and what he feels he requirements But in the modern day was a full practice and he participated and he looked great Related Articles Avalanche loans captain Gabe Landeskog to Eagles for conditioning assignment Avalanche rallies from early deficit defeats Golden Knights in shootout Nathan MacKinnon ties Joe Sakic for Denver-based Avalanche scoring record Improved goaltending defensive effort have made Avalanche blowout-proof Jared Bednar doesn t rule out AHL event s for Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog We just treat it like he s part of our unit 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 necessities 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 band 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 squad facilities Definitely a little bit strange Never expected to see him here that s for sure Megna reported 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 athlete To get him back in any ceiling would be a huge win for the organization Want more Avalanche news Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis
