Landeskog’s Cold-Blooded Declaration: “I’m Back to Lift the Stanley Cup, Not to Be Applauded”

Gabriel Landeskog is not the kind of captain who sugarcoats his words or seeks comfort in fairy-tale comeback stories. He’s missed the last two full NHL seasons, endured countless hours of rehab and grueling physical therapy, and spent long nights wondering if he’d ever step onto the ice again. But when Landeskog walked into the Colorado Avalanche training facility this week, his eyes and his voice left no room for doubt: he’s not back to simply be part of the roster — he’s back to win.

“I’m not back to get a round of applause. I’m back because the Colorado Avalanche still have a Stanley Cup to lift — and I’ll be the one standing in the middle when it’s raised,” Landeskog said, his tone ice-cold and unwavering.

For Avalanche fans, this isn’t just a quote — it’s a storm warning. When their captain talks about the goal, it’s never empty rhetoric. Landeskog was the heart and soul of the team that captured the 2022 Stanley Cup. His absence over the last two years left a void both in skill and in spirit.

Head coach Jared Bednar admits that Landeskog’s return could “change the entire energy in the locker room.” It’s not just about his puck-handling and scoring touch, but also his relentless, no-nonsense leadership — the kind that has pulled his teammates through the toughest moments.

Landeskog’s body has been tested to the limit. Doctors, rehab specialists, and the player himself acknowledge that the road back was brutal. But that’s exactly what makes his message sharper: he’s not here to “see how it goes” — he’s here to fight for Cup number two.

Analysts are already imagining an Avalanche surge from the very start of the season, with Landeskog reuniting alongside key stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. If that trio clicks back into top form, the rest of the NHL will have to deal with a team that’s not only talented, but more motivated than ever.

And if it all unfolds as their captain has promised, the final image of the season could very well be Gabriel Landeskog standing at center ice, one hand gripping the Stanley Cup, the other pointing toward the stands — as if to remind everyone that he didn’t come back for applause, but to finish the mission.