Latest news with #GabrielLandeskog
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Olympic news shocker: As Gabriel Landeskog and William Nylander lead Team Sweden's NHL-loaded 2026 roster reveal
Sweden's Olympic Winter Games preliminary roster is taking shape with the first 6 names announced (Credit: X/@IIHFHockey) Team Sweden shook the Olympic hockey world this week by unveiling the first six players set to represent them at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. This initial roster drop, shared by all 12 competing nations, offered fans a unique early glimpse into what could be a gold-worthy lineup. With each player performing at a high level, the message is clear, team Sweden is aiming high for Olympic gold. Gabriel Landeskog 's comeback headlines Sweden's Olympic hockey campaign Gabriel Landeskog's inclusion in Team Sweden's 2026 Olympic lineup is more than a strategic decision, it's a stirring comeback story. After battling through injuries that cast doubt on his future, the Avalanche captain's return marks one of the biggest stories in Olympic hockey news. His leadership and grit are invaluable for a national team filled with younger stars. Landeskog brings not only experience but also an emotional edge that could define Sweden's Olympic run. His selection also silences speculation about his fitness, confirming he is ready to contribute at the highest level again. For fans, Landeskog's name in the lineup is both nostalgic and thrilling, giving the Olympic roster a unique blend of determination and top-tier skill. William Nylander and Victor Hedman strengthen Sweden's Olympic roster core The depth of talent in Sweden's Olympic selection is jaw-dropping. William Nylander's breakout seasons with Toronto have solidified him as an international threat, while Victor Hedman's dominance on the blue line offers a defensive anchor few teams can match. Rasmus Dahlin's emergence as a two-way force, Adrian Kempe's physical scoring game, and Lucas Raymond's quick-strike offense round out a six-man group that feels more like an NHL All-Star unit than a typical Olympic preview. Read more: Why Mason West is 'the biggest wildcard in the draft,' and why NHL teams are torn over his football future If this core group is any indication, Sweden's Olympic strategy is simple: bring the best, aim for gold, and announce it loudly. With more roster spots to be revealed, Sweden's path to the podium already looks paved with power.
Edmonton Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
William Nylander, Leon Draisaitl lead European pre-Olympic picks
Article content Among Swedes joining Nylander are Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, who made a late-season return from injury for the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman. Sweden's great rival, Finland, named Aleksandar Barkov, who hopes to win a second Stanley Cup this week with the Florida Panthers, plus three Dallas Stars; Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and Anton Lindell. Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes with Jusse Saros in net. The Swiss will be bolstered by Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, two New Jersey Devils in Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, and Winnipeg Jet Nino Niederreiter. Germany leader is Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, this year's Rocket Richard Trophy winning scorer with 52 goals, a further 33 playoff points to date, and Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle. Czechia's six pack includes Boston great David Pastrnak, defenceman Radko Gudas and goaltender Lukas Dostal. Two netminders were prominent in Latvia's selections, Elvis Merzlikins of Columbus and Vancouver Canuck Arturs Silovs. Canada and the U.S. are expected to unveil their top six later Monday.
National Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
William Nylander, Leon Draisaitl lead European pre-Olympic picks
It's nearly the summer solstice, but the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan are suddenly on the minds of hockey fans. Article content That's because the competing nations began rolling out their first six selections this week, starting Monday morning among the European powers. Article content Article content For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the news was not surprising that 45-goal right winger William Nylander is in Team Sweden's first half dozen. He's represented Tre Kronor on numerous occasions and flew across the pond after the Leafs were eliminated in May to play at the end of the world championships in his home country, eventually finishing third after the United States beat Switzerland, who'd upset Canada, in the gold medal game. Article content Article content Among Swedes joining Nylander are Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, who made a late-season return from injury for the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman. Article content Sweden's great rival, Finland, named Aleksandar Barkov, who hopes to win a second Stanley Cup this week with the Florida Panthers, plus three Dallas Stars; Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and Anton Lindell. Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes with Jusse Saros in net. Article content The Swiss will be bolstered by Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, two New Jersey Devils in Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, and Winnipeg Jet Nino Niederreiter. Germany leader is Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, this year's Rocket Richard Trophy winning scorer with 52 goals, a further 33 playoff points to date, and Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle. Article content
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gabriel Landeskog's Clear Message Amid Avalanche Offseason
Gabriel Landeskog's Clear Message Amid Avalanche Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The story of Colorado Avalanche star forward Gabriel Landeskog is an inspiring one. After being away from the NHL ice for nearly three years due to a serious injury, Landeskog finally returned to action in Game 3 of the Avs' first-round series against the Dallas Stars in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Advertisement Although the Avalanche ultimately failed to advance to the second round after losing to Dallas in seven games, Landeskog's return was a notably positive takeaway from Colorado's 2024-25 season. Before the final screening of the TV miniseries "A Clean Sheet: Gabe Landeskog," which is based on Landeskog's journey while dealing with his injury, the Swedish pro opened up about what he's been up to since the Avalanche's elimination at the hands of Dallas. 'I've been back in the gym, back on the ice, and I'm feeling good,' Landeskog said, per Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette. Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) looks on during the third period against the Miron-Imagn Images Selected second overall in the 2011 NHL draft by the Avalanche, Landeskog immediately proved to Colorado that he was the real deal, as he scored 22 goals and recorded 30 assists for 52 points in 82 games during his rookie campaign in the league. Advertisement His performance in that season was enough to earn him the 2011-12 Calder Trophy award. He reached what can be considered the pinnacle of his time with the Avalanche in 2022 when Colorado won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001. Landeskog, who has a cap hit of $7 million each season until the end of the 2028-29 campaign, has 248 goals and 323 assists in 738 regular-season games in his career with Colorado. Related: Avalanche's Coach Denies Gabriel Landeskog Rumors: 'No Truth to That' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Why Mikko Rantanen's Play Will Impact Mitch Marner's Free Agency
The 2024-25 season for Avalanche was never short of storylines. They started the season on a four-game losing streak, then recovered by winning five in a row. Just a month into the season, the Avs traded for not one, but two goaltenders in a week span, who both remained on the roster into the postseason. And before the eventual end to their campaign, the playoffs were highlighted by the return of Captain Gabriel Landeskog. Landeskog had not played in a game in nearly three years due to injuries suffered in their 2021 Stanley Cup championship. All of these stories were washed away in Game Seven of their first-round matchup against the Dallas Stars, as Mikko Rantanen got the last laugh against his former club. After being held to just one point in the first four games of the first round matchup between Colorado and Dallas, Rantanen took over the series in the final three games. With three points in Game Five, four points in Game Six, and a hat trick in Game Seven to win the series, Rantanen wound up leading both teams in points for the series. Now, as Rantanen carried that level of play into the second round against the Winnipeg Jets with another hat trick, he has quickly become the best scorer in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But how did a player of Rantanen's caliber end up with the Stars? And better yet, how has he already been signed to a long-term deal before hitting the open market? For those who forgot, Mikko Rantanen started the 2025 season with the Colorado Avalanche, as he had done in each of the last nine years. In that time, Rantanen had won a Stanley Cup, collected 681 career points, and gotten to play on the same line as Nathan MacKinnon. With a looming free agency at the end of the season for Rantanen, there was speculation over the future of the Avs' forward with the team. The biggest question mark for Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland would be forced to sign Rantanen to a bigger contract than MacKinnon's 8-year, $100 million deal that he signed in 2023. Even if MacKinnon did not mind being the second-highest paid player on the team, the contracts of these two forwards and impending free agency for Cale Makar were going to pose issues on the depth of the team. So, MacFarland made the shocking decision to trade Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes, which was as shocking to the winger as it was to the hockey world, according to multiple reports. The trade initially appeared questionable, especially as Rantanen struggled to find his footing in Carolina and hesitated on a contract extension. However, both the Stars and Hurricanes ultimately vindicated the move by advancing further in the playoffs than the Avalanche. Dallas also managed to sign Rantanen following the Trade Deadline acquisition. And at 8-years for $96 million, the contract has already begun to already look like a bargain. This will become especially apparent in the offseason, where Mitch Marner looks to become one of the top-paid forwards in the NHL. After reports that Toronto was discussing a deal with Carolina to exchange the two top-liners, Marner will likely be listening to other team's pitches this summer. And, with a growing trend of players signing long-term extensions before reaching free agency, we have not seen a free agent like Marner hit the open market since Artemi Panarin in 2019. With Rantanen signing ahead of free agency, this leaves Marner's competition in free agency to forwards like Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers, which Marner has a separation of in terms of individual production. But if Rantanen and Marner were to both hit free agency, Rantanen would have likely become the top-paid free agent in NHL history instead of Marner. For one, Rantanen leads Marner in this year's playoff. In 10 games played, Rantanen has 18 points compared to Marner's 12, while also being a larger force in the physical aspects of the playoffs. This is true for their career playoff statistics as well, which has been the knock on Marner in his time with the Maple Leafs. While the two players have a significantly different role for their respective club, and Rantanen's Avalanche have seen more playoff success than Marner's Maple Leafs, these playoff question marks may reduce the total value of Marner's contract, despite compiling 741 regular season points in just 657 games. In fact, even without Rantanen directly on the market this summer, his $12 million average annual value (AAV) could still significantly influence Marner's contract negotiations in free agency. With at least two games remaining in the Maple Leafs' season, Marner still has an opportunity to enhance his market value through strong performance. This is particularly true if he can excel against the Florida Panthers, a team known for its consistently physical style of play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
