There has been some improvements on the Colorado Avalanche injury front since Part One of our update from the infirmary. Goaltender Makenzie Blackwood made his first start of the season on November first as he is finally fully recovered from an offseason issue. Defenseman Samuel Girard, who was hurt in the home opener and missed 15 games with an upper-body injury, returned to the lineup on November 13th as well.
Now there are three main absences impacting the Avalanche roster and all are at the forward
position. Given their current stated timelines and reading the tea leaves, all could return within the same time frame of within a couple weeks from now assuming no (more) setbacks.
Logan O’Connor
Everyone’s favorite energy player started appearing in the red no-contact jersey with Girard in skates earlier this month but has yet to progress to taking contact and practicing with his Avalanche teammates. Now the team has revealed Logan O’Connor suffered a setback not related to his hip offseason hip surgery as he works through rehab in his return to play.
Joel Kiviranta
Depth forward Joel Kiviranta has missed 15 games since last playing in Columbus on October 16th. The original timeline, which was not shared publicly, estimated that Kiviranta would miss 6-8 weeks with a lower-body injury. Currently we are at the five week mark and the left wing has been doing some light skating on his own. On Wednesday he progressed to skating with the team in a non-contact jersey. If he begins to ramp up skating and takes contact soon, Kiviranta could return during the early portion of the original six-to-eight week timetable.
Val Nichushkin
The newest injury on this list but certainly the most impactful, the Avalanche hope Val Nichushkin’s absence isn’t long. The left wing departed the Anaheim Ducks game on November 11th and has missed three games so far with Colorado’s light schedule this month. His lower-body injury isn’t considered serious but in the past these types of issues have lingered. He did engage in some light skating on Wednesday separate from the team. If Nichushkin only misses a couple weeks that would be a favorable outcome for the Avalanche.
Note: Gavin Brindley left last night’s game against the New York Rangers with a lower-body injury. Although he tried to test the injury before the second period began he had to end his night early. Bednar didn’t have much of an update following the game and said they’d know more today.
