One thing that the Colorado Avalanche has missed over the last three years has been true leadership. They have tried to fill the gaps with “locker room guys,” but nothing will replace a genuine leader. We all know that Gabriel Landeskog has become a natural leader; a lot of the players look up to him. The season has not even started, and we are already seeing the leadership role he has on the Avalanche.

During the informal skates earlier in the week, Landeskog has been acting as a third coach on the ice. He has been helping players who are new to the system get used to the drills and answering questions. I saw him talking to Nikita Prishchepov a lot. The young Russian is vying for a spot on the fourth line and looking to prove himself. Prishchepov attended the informal skate and stuck close to Landeskog. The captain has shown his leadership skills by taking Prishchepov under his wing and answering all of his questions.

Last season when Landeskog was in Loveland with the Colorado Eagles, head coach Aaron Schneekloth mentioned it did not take long for him to be a leader. He mentioned Landeskog was immediately vocal on the bench and helped the younger players. Schneekloth said that he was always yelling something from the bench and involved as much as he could be.

If Colorado can keep a healthy Landeskog in the room, on the bench and on the ice the entire season, it will do wonders for them. He will provide an extra voice on the ice that head coach Jared Bednar could not be. He can help improve the younger players like Prishchepov, Gavin Brindley and Ivan Ivan. Landeskog is more than points to the Avalanche; he is an extra coach on the ice that they truly need during those terrible games.