close
close

Avalanche is dealing with another injury as the team's leading scorer Ross Colton is sidelined with a broken foot

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche will be without their leading scorer Ross Colton for at least six weeks after he broke his foot while blocking a shot.

A struggling Colorado team will also be missing another forward, Miles Wood, next week with an upper-body injury. Injuries are piling up for the Avalanche, who are already without Jonathan Drouin (upper body), captain Gabriel Landeskog (knee) and Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder). In addition, Valeri Nichushkin will be out until at least mid-November due to a suspension.

The forward situation has reached the point where Avalanche coach Jared Bednar will put defenseman Oliver Kylington in the lead on Wednesday night against Tampa Bay.

“The players’ focus has to be on doing their best every night,” Bednar said. “You can’t be frustrated because it doesn’t look the way we thought it would when we have them all. The non-negotiable details of our game really don't change.

“It’s about developing sustainable habits that lead to long-term success. There’s no question that adding new players to the lineup will make your overall game look better.”

Colton suffered the injury while sticking out his foot to block a shot in a 5-2 loss to Chicago on Monday. He tried to play it through before finally leaving.

Losing Colton is a huge blow to a line that included Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Colton started the season strong with a team-best eight goals in ten games. He was also a big hit on special teams with four power play goals.

Colorado Avalanche left wing Miles Wood, left, shoots against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Denver. Photo credit: AP/David Zalubowski

“Colts played so well,” defenseman Josh Manson said. “It just sucks, this injury, in a committed game for the team. That hurts.”

Manson said the team came together to reinforce one thing: “The focus is on what's in the room right now,” he said. “Ultimately it’s a question of work ethic as to who is in the lineup or not.”

Bednar said Lehkonen recently met with his doctor and the team could set a timetable for a return soon. Bednar added that Lehkonen would need a few contact drills to get up to speed.

“Every year we seem to go through a phase where we have a hard time getting a 20-man roster,” Bednar said of recent injuries. “The special thing about this game is that it’s there from the start. Right about the time you’re hoping to add reinforcements to the lineup, a few more guys are out.”

Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson, front, pursues the puck after...

Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson, front, chases the puck after a shot by Colorado Avalanche center Ross Colton, back right, from Chicago defenseman Seth Jones in the second period of an NHL hockey game on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. Denver was rejected. Photo credit: AP/David Zalubowski

“It happens to everyone at some point during the course of a season. You just hope there aren't too many of them piling up at once. That’s the case for us at the moment and we just have to fight through it.”

Notes: Colorado goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen, claimed on waivers from Winnipeg on Oct. 1, was expected to start in goal on Wednesday. Kahkonen played in two games for the Colorado Eagles, the team's AHL affiliate, and posted a goals-against average of 2.57.