Gabriel Landeskog didn’t play a game in more than 1,000 days. Now, another Swedish, Colorado cult hero joins in the praising—with Peter Forsberg speaking directly from the heart about the incredible comeback.
Colorado Avalanche got eliminated from the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But in a sense, they were still winners. Their team captain, Swedish star Gabriel Landeskog, did a stunning and remarkable comeback, after being sidelined from hockey for more than 1,000 days.
Landeskog played his last NHL game on June 26, 2022, as the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001. But that was also the last time Gabriel Landeskog played a game—at least until April 12, 2025.
Just in time for this year’s playoffs, Landeskog was back with the Colorado Avalanche organization, after battling a serious knee injury. And he immediately showed his class, with four points in four games, averaging 16 minutes of ice time, before the Avalanche ultimately lost Game 7 to the Dallas Stars.
Peter Forsberg’s words on Landeskog
Gabriel Landeskog has been praised by an entire hockey world for his determination and fighting spirit, and now, Peter Forsberg joins in. The Swedish legend battled through several severe injuries during his career, most of it spent with the Colorado Avalanche. And he’s seriously impressed by Landeskog’s mindset.
”I think I was out for 11 months once, almost a year, when I came back for a playoff,” Forsberg told The Hockey Beast.
”But I can’t imagine being away for three years and averaging a point-per-game. Not many players could pull that off, it’s five out of five stars. It’s kind of sad that Colorado lost that Game 7, but it’s remarkable to maintain your physics enough to go out and play at the level he did in those games.”
Forsberg praises the mentality
Peter Forsberg also highlights the mental part of it.
”I did a bunch of comebacks,” Forsberg said.
”Getting back on that test bike after 700 days, trying to push through and motivating yourself that you’re going to get back out there…
”But near the end of that process, it’s different. You start to see the goal again. You’re almost there. You’ll get to play in front of 18,000 fans soon. That makes it easy to stay motivated. It’s just great to have him back. Let’s just hope it holds this time.”
Peter Forsberg was definitely worried about Landeskog’s physical shape heading into the comeback.
”He played two games in the AHL, then missed the first two in the playoffs. I was like, “Is he alright?” I don’t know.
”It’s really tough to say. I’ve played in the playoffs, getting an injection just to push through it. But that doesn’t work for a 82-games regular season. I just have my fingers crossed that he can play for several more years.”
