Gabriel Landeskog did not have unrealistic expectations to start his first season in three years. There is a baseline, and he is focused on improving throughout the season.
“My goal and expectation wasn’t to be necessarily at the top of my game here in October, November. But as the season goes on, I want to continue to get better,” Landeskog said. “That’s what we’re all working towards, that’s our whole team mindset. We want to start off strong and then grow as the season goes on and make sure we’re peaking at the right time.”
The Avs captain has two assists in six games with an average time on ice of 14:21. It is a different landscape with new expectations in place. He is playing with a new center (Brock Nelson) on a different line than his Cup-winning season, and chemistry continues to build with them.
“You always want to be better than you were the last time you stepped on the ice. Obviously, a little bit hard; hadn’t played in so long. I have high expectations of myself as a player. Want to impact the game in a positive way for your team. Score goals, and make sure you’re hard to play against and all those things on both sides of the puck and both sides of the rink.”
The 6-foot-1 Swede was working on his own at Sunday’s optional practice. He participated in a full team, intense session on Monday before heading to Salt Lake City. He joined his linemates, Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin, for Tuesday’s optional morning skate at the Delta Center to get some more time in before facing off against the Utah Mammoth at 8 p.m.
Landeskog’s standards are at a high level with the “C” on his jersey, and his leadership comes naturally, no matter what his own expectations may be. As he navigates uncharted territory this season, he acknowledges it is a team sport and there are several leaders in the room to keep the ship moving in the right direction.
“For us to play well as a team, you need all the individuals to play well, including myself. It starts with my preparation and how I want to play,” Landeskog said. “As a group, it’s not a one-man job. It’s really leadership by committee. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — there are so many guys in here making sure we’re doing the right things as a group. That’s the way it’s going to work and that’s the way it’s going to be.”
It is not about excelling as an individual on this team. There is depth and motivation to conquer the ultimate goal of hoisting the Stanley Cup, once again. Only six games in with five wins and one shootout loss, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Even if they have hit the ground running.
