MacKinnon was one of a handful of Avalanche players who didn't travel with the team to California and stayed back to watch Landeskog's return. He liked what he saw.

He played games for the Colorado Eagles in the latest step toward a return from a knee injury that has led to two surgeries and caused him to miss the past three regular seasons.

DENVER (AP) — Gabriel Landeskog is rejoining the Colorado Avalanche after taking part in a two game minor-league rehab assignment.

The Colorado Avalanche says team captain Gabriel Landeskog will rejoin the team on Tuesday. The announcement represents his return to the NHL after a knee injury three years ago.