Avalanche defenseman Shane O’Brien on Monday was overheard saying something to the effect that within five years, Colorado rookie left winger Gabriel Landeskog could be the best player in the NHL.

“We’re lucky to have him,” O’Brien said.

When asked to clarify Landeskog’s potential — whether he could become Colorado’s best player, or the league’s best — O’Brien answered: “In the league. Five years. Might be sooner than that. His game is just complete. For an 18-year-old to step in the situations and the minutes, it’s unbelievable.”

Landeskog, the second overall draft pick in June, has five points (four goals), averages 16:45 in ice time and leads the team with 29 shots.

“We’ve seen 18-year-old guys put up points and play on the power play and stuff like that, but for a guy to come and have the coach put him out there in the last minute on a faceoff in our zone and know that he’s going to be responsible, I mean, you just don’t see that every day,” O’Brien said. “He’s a complete two-way player.

“And most important, he’s a great kid and a great person. They picked a good one when they chose him.”

Mike Chambers, The Denver Post