Gabriel Landeskog

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Landeskog began his youth career with Hammarby IF before making a name at Djurgårdens IF. On 21 February 2009, he debuted in Elitserien against Brynäs IF at 16 years and 90 days, becoming the youngest player in the club's history. After being drafted third overall by the Plymouth Whalers in the 2009 CHL Import Draft, his rights were traded to the Kitchener Rangers on 3 August 2009. On 24 October 2010, he became the first European captain in franchise history with Kitchener. Despite an ankle injury limiting him to 53 games that season, he led the team with 37 goals and a +27 rating. His final junior season ended with a seven-game playoff defeat to Plymouth, where he posted a team-high 10 points.

In Their Own Story

Landeskog's NHL journey began on 8 October 2011, when he made his debut against the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the first Avalanche player to wear number 92 in honor of his birth year. He scored his first goal on 12 October 2011 against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 18 years and 324 days, surpassing Victor Hedman as the youngest Swedish-born player to score an NHL goal. By mid-January 2012, he had recorded nine goals and 22 points in 48 games. On 12 March 2012, he scored his first overtime goal and broke Peter Šťastný's franchise rookie record with 233 shots on net. After leading all rookies with 22 goals and tying Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for 52 points, he won the Calder Trophy. During the 2012–13 lockout, he returned to Sweden, playing 17 games for Djurgårdens IF before returning to Colorado on 3 December 2012.

Reader's Guide

Landeskog's career has been marked by significant milestones and challenges. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022, a season where he played through serious injury, though the aftermath kept him out of play for nearly three seasons. His accolades include being named to the 2012 All-Star Game as part of Team Chara, winning Rookie of the Month honors in February 2012, and recording career highs of 34 goals and 41 assists in the 2018–19 season. He achieved three career hat tricks: against Washington Capitals (17 November 2017), Tampa Bay Lightning (16 December 2017), and New Jersey Devils (18 October 2018). His leadership was tested by injuries, including a head injury on 26 January 2013 that caused him to miss 11 games, and a knee cut by Cale Makar's skate during game six of the 2020 playoffs. He also faced suspensions, such as a two-game suspension in November 2015 for an illegal check on Brad Marchand.

Did You Know?

• Landeskog became the youngest captain in NHL history at 19 years and 286 days when named by Colorado on 4 September 2012.
• He was the first player in Avalanche franchise history to wear jersey number 92, chosen to honor his birth year of 1992.
• During the 2012–13 lockout, he returned to Sweden and played 17 games for Djurgårdens IF before rejoining the NHL on 3 December 2012.
• He broke Peter Šťastný's franchise rookie record with 233 shots on net during his first season.
• Landeskog played through serious injury to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, but missed nearly three seasons of play afterward.