Gabriel Landeskog

Despite missing the last two years after undergoing multiple knee surgeries, Landeskog is not yet ready to retire. The 31-year-old last played in the 2022 playoffs, producing 22 points in 20 games during the Avalanche's championship year. Given his lengthy absence, there are no guarantees as to how often he'll be able to play, how long he'll stay healthy if cleared to return or how productive he'll be. Fantasy managers may want to consider Landeskog given his past as a reliable 30-goal, 55-point producer, but he should be nothing more than a late-round dart throw in drafts this fall.

Landeskog only played in 51 games during the 2021-22 season, accounting for 30 goals and 59 points. He added 11 goals and 22 points in 20 playoff games to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, Landeskog hasn't been in the lineup since celebrating the team's championship victory. He missed the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign and won't play this year after undergoing cartilage transplant surgery in his right knee.

A knee injury cost Landeskog the last 20 regular-season games. It was a crushing blow for fantasy managers as the ailment cost Landeskog about a quarter of the year, but the Swede was his usual productive self when healthy, finishing with 30 goals and 59 points in 51 games. Landeskog also posted exactly a 20 percent shooting percentage, by far the highest of his career. That's an unsustainable number and one that seems likely to regress this coming year, but Landeskog's production isn't at much risk of decreasing if he is seeing roughly four minutes' worth of power-play time per game. Landeskog is a safe early-round fantasy option.

The third member of the Avalanche's elite top line, Landeskog produced 20 goals and 52 points in 54 contests last season. After some concern he would leave in free agency, the Swede signed an eight-year, $56 million contract to remain with the only NHL team he's known. The 28-year-old is in the middle of his prime and should continue to produce hearty scoring numbers. He's also posted over 80 hits in each of his 10 NHL seasons, so he'll provide some toughness that isn't often present in elite scorers. Look for Landeskog to take his customary place alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen on Opening Night, as that trio has long been one of the best groupings for head coach Jared Bednar. As long as the lineup doesn't shuffle too much, Landeskog should return solid value as a fourth-to-fifth-round pick in fantasy drafts.

The Avs' captain is a first-line pillar, power-play producer and potential point-per-game stud, so why isn't he a fantasy stud? Landeskog loves to throw his body around and that abrasive sandpaper means he plays hurt and misses time every year -- he hasn't played a full season since 2014-15. Still, he put up 34 goals and 75 points just two seasons ago and he's in a contract year. That's a recipe for a rebound. Draft Landeskog with that in mind, but make sure you have a good handcuff.

Landeskog was a model for consistency in the 2018-19 campaign, as the revered winger notched at least one point in just over 75 percent of his appearances to arrive at career highs in goals (34) and assists (41), not to mention 10 tallies and 17 helpers on the power play launched his fantasy value to another stratosphere. The Swede was Captain Clutch based on a league-high 20 third-period goals to complement nine game-winners, and he even helped the Avalanche prevail over the Flames by potting both the game-tying and overtime goals in Game 4 of the conference semifinals. Landeskog is not wholly defined by his attacking-zone exploits, either; six straight seasons with 100-plus hits illustrate his willingness to battle hard defensively. Minor injuries seem to creep up on the veteran each year, though it's easily offset by Landeskog's sheer dominance on the No. 1 power-play unit alongside Mikko Rantanen and Nathan Mackinnon.

Landeskog trailed only linemate Nathan MacKinnon in shots on goal (183) for the Avalanche during the 2017-18 season and recorded a solid 13.7 shooting percentage. That combo led the Avalanche captain to 25 goals and 62 points, both of which just fell short of career highs set in 2013-14. However, a regression to his career mean (10.7) shooting percentage or an injury to him or either of his linemates (MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen) could lead to Landeskog's numbers plateauing or even dipping in 2018-19.

Landeskog dropped below the 20-goal mark for just the second time in his six-year career last season while seeing both his point total and rating decline for the third consecutive campaign (to 33 and minus-25, respectively). In retrospect, that level of underachievement should have left Landeskog undrafted in many formats, but that doesn't mean he should be off your radar for this upcoming campaign. The 24-year-old winger has topped 50 points four times in his career, and his plus-5 career rating shows that Colorado’s captain is actually a strong two-way force when not surrounded by a dumpster fire of a team. There’s almost nowhere to go but up for Landeskog this season.

Taken with the second overall pick in the 2011 draft, Landeskog was expected to be a cornerstone of the Colorado franchise for years to come. While he’s been far from a slouch, the 23-year-old has been consistent but has yet to explode for a monster campaign. The Swede still put up 20 goals and 33 helpers – his third straight 50-plus season – but has decreased in points over that span. Additionally, the winger saw a significant drop in shots on goal, reaching just 169 after eclipsing 200 in two consecutive years. With the shots down, Landeskog’s shooting percentage went up – 10.7 percent to 11.8 – although it’s safe to say that would have evened out if he launched the puck a few more times. Surrounded by talent and still efficient on the power play (14 points last season), Landeskog has a shot at his second career 60-point campaign.

Despite finishing last in the division, the Avalanche still received a very productive year out of their captain, who was tied for the team scoring lead with 59 points in 82 games. Landeskog also notched a career-high eight power-play goals, finished among the top 50 in the NHL with 214 shots on goal, and posted his second consecutive 70-PIM season. Locked into roles in the Avs' top six and top power-play unit and with an expected rebound from linemate and former Calder Trophy winner Nate MacKinnon, it's quite possible that Landeskog will return to the 60-point mark for the second time in his career in 2015-16. And even if the supporting cast around Landeskog fails to return to their 2013-14 levels to buoy his plus/minus rating, the winger's serviceable counting totals across almost every relevant category give him a solid floor for fantasy owners to work with.

Landeskog supplied 26 goals and 39 assists to the scoring machine that was the Avalanche last season, joining Matt Duchene, rookie sensation Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan O'Reilly and the departed Paul Stastny in the 20-plus goal club. The Swedish captain also fired his fair share of rubber on net, posting a shot total of 222 that was second on the team only to MacKinnon's 241. At just 22, it's hard to believe that the 2011 second overall pick has just two full NHL seasons under his belt, especially since he was an excellent fantasy contributor across every category last year (plus-21, 71 PIM, five power-play goals to go with his 65 points) after a very disappointing 17-point performance in the 36-game lockout-shortened campaign one year prior. Look for Landy to play a prominent role again in 2014-15, but be aware that he spent the majority of his time alongside center Paul Stastny last year, so there could be an adjustment period as the Avs work him in with a new pivot (likely MacKinnon or Duchene), along with the newly-acquired Jarome Iginla on the opposite wing.

Landeskog missed a portion of the 2012-13 season with a concussion and he never really got into a groove. This season will be different. He's healthy and will line up on the team's second line alongside two playmaking veterans, Paul Stastny and newcomer Alex Tanguay. And he'll have loads of power-play time, too. Thirty goals and 65-70 points could be well within reach. And he might come as a relative bargain on draft day because of last year's production. Don't wait on him.

Landeskog had an outstanding first season in the NHL in 2011-12, winning the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. “Landy” tied Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the rookie scoring title with 52 points and led all rookie forwards in a host of other categories, including plus-minus (plus-20), shots on goal (270), hits (219) and takeaways (58). Furthermore, he was the first rookie forward in NHL history to score 20+ goals and register 200+ hits. Looking ahead, it will no doubt be difficult for Landeskog to avoid the dreaded sophomore jinx this season. However, at just 19 yearsof age, Landy isn't even close to his prime yet and should continue to get better and better and better. Expect him to resume his role as top left winger for the Avs next season.

Landeskog, Colorado's second overall pick in this year's draft, is considered one of the few prospects thought to be NHL-ready now, and is expected to battle hard for a roster spot come training camp. Don't be surprised if he pulls a Matt Duchene and lands in the NHL straight from the junior leagues. Last season, despite an ankle injury that limited him to just 53 games with the Kitchener Rangers, Landeskog led his team with 36 goals and finished third with 66 points. Those of you in keeper leagues, snap this guy up quick if he's somehow still available.