Trends on Twitter have a limited shelf life. Trending nicknames, however, can last a lifetime, and #Mandeskog could be as in sync in Colorado hockey circles as St. Patrick, Super Joe and Peter the Great.

Avalanche left wing Gabe Landeskog, the youngest team captain in NHL history, is building a Superman-type reputation that reminds local hockey fans of Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg in their Stanley Cup heydays.

“Mandeskog,” just 21 and already in his third NHL season, combines skill, speed, toughness and leadership to an impressive off-ice personality that has garnered remarkable respect. The Swedish Olympian has exceeded his career high in goals (24), assists (37), points (61) and penalty minutes (57) while leading the Avs to an extraordinary turnaround in winning percentage.

Last season, which was reduced to 48 games by the NHL lockout, the winning percentage of the Avs (16-25-7) was .333. After beating the Sharks 3-2 on Saturday, the Avs (47-21-6) have a winning percentage of .635 this season. Landeskog has played a big role in that boost.

“Very happy with him, very impressed with him,” said Roy, the first-year Avs coach who did not change the leadership structure of his predecessor, Joe Sacco, who appointed Paul Stastny and Cody McLeod alternate captains and put the C on Landeskog’s chest. “He’s very mature for his age, dealing well with all the situations we’ve had so far. No. 1 quality: He’s listening to what the guys have to say around him, learning from them, and that’s making him into the person and player he’s become.”

Landeskog, selected No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft, leads the Avs with a plus-21 rating. In his Calder Trophy-winning rookie season, his rating was a plus-20. He suffered a concussion early into his lockout-shortened sophomore season and was limited to nine goals and 17 points in 36 games (finishing minus-4).

“It goes to show what big a difference one year can make,” he said. “A few changes here and there and we’re a completely different team. We’re a new team, an exciting team to watch, compared to a year ago. Certainly, we’re having fun and I think the fans can see that, and it’s easy to be the captain, a leader, for a team that’s winning.

“Even so, I feel like I’ve grown a lot in every aspect, and I’ve obviously gotten to play with some quality players in Paul (Stastny), Tango (Alex Tanguay) and Nate (McKinnon). I think I’ve grown as a player and as a leader, and I’m trying to take it all in stride. I’m looking forward to the future of this team, the future of this organization.”

Last summer, Landeskog signed a seven-year contract extension worth $39 million that kicks in next season. He credits Stastny, 28, for his success.

“The guy I’ve leaned on the most has been Paulie from Day One when I got here,” Landeskog said. “He’s always been talking to me, explaining things to me, whether it’s on the ice or off. We’ve become close friends. He’s been my go-to guy and he certainly has the experience and someone I can relate to.”

Roy put Landeskog on the Stastny-centered line in training camp, and both have flourished.

“There are little things that are maybe uncomfortable for him, when you’re 21 and have a young team,” Stastny said of Landeskog. “I’ve been around a lot of good guys, a lot of good players and leaders, and you learn from them. When things aren’t going well, you help (Landeskog) as much as you can, make sure he’s on top of things because guys look up to him.

“He’s one of those players that, if he’s not on the scoresheet, he’s still going to be physical out there, he’s still going to make a presence. On the ice, the guys have always looked up to him and off the ice, although he’s just 21, he’s mature beyond his years. He acts like he’s been in this league for seven years.”

Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mchambers