An Avalanche of Injuries, 2024-25 Edition: Part Two

There are even more additions to the list in this season’s second edition of the series.

This series returned just three weeks ago, and regrettably, it didn’t disappear. It grew worse, if anything.

Regarding the Colorado Avalanche’s impending return to the ice, there are a few encouraging updates. Before

moving on to the more depressing injury bulletins, let’s start with them.

Artturi Lehkonen

Artturi Lehkonen will be the next Avalanche player to return from injury. Last week, Jared Bednar stated that he was

hoping to make a comeback against the Seattle Kraken. Lehkonen was taken off injured list in anticipation of the

Kraken’s arrival in town tomorrow, so he should be ready for his season debut.

Lehkonen will be the dynamic forward Colorado has been lacking—someone who can skate and chase the puck all

day. These days, a positive news is like finding a needle in a haystack for the Avs, as the lineup is riddled with

missing faces.

Valeri Nichushkin

Seemingly, the next player to return for the Avs is the soon-to-be unsuspended Valeri Nichushkin. He has returned

to Denver and started to skate on his own while he waits out the end of his suspension.

Bednar has said he hopes to get him able to practice with the squad before his suspension comes to a close. While he

needs to test out and be cleared to return to action by the NHL, everything seems straightforward for him to return

and be ready to go on November 15.

Miles Wood could also return right around the same time as Nichushkin with his injury being less significant than

the others on this list. He was listed as day-to-day, specifically out for around a week by Bednar with an upper-body

injury.

Wood had been playing through the injury, but no longer could. We are coming up on one week since his absence

from the lineup. We should get more updates from the coaching staff this week to see whether or not he will be back

soon or out for a little longer.

Jonathan Drouin

After taking a hit during the season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights, Jonathan Drouin is yet to return to

action. Since then, he has been sidelined due to an upper body injury.

There are indications of life, but not much about his growth has been made public yet. Drouin is now utilising

“controlled contact” after previously skating in a red non-contact shirt. It’s still unclear when he might return to play,

even at that point.

Ross Colton

Ross Colton has been maybe the season’s biggest loss. He started the season playing in an advanced role on the top

line and power play, scoring goals whenever he wanted and driving his play forward.

However, he injured his foot last week after blocking a shot against the Chicago Blackhawks. He has a schedule to

return around Christmas after being away for 6–8 weeks. We will really miss his worth and his excellent play to

begin the season, and we’re not sure if things will be the same when he gets back.