Avalanche News

WESTERN CENTRAL

Martin Necas • C • Avalanche

Martin Necas Ready for Thursday

Colorado Avalanche right wing Martin Necas (lower body) will be available for Team Czechia's Olympic opener against Canada on Thursday. Prior to the Olympic break, Necas sat out three Colorado games due to a lower-body injury. Ahead of Thursday's matchup, Necas has practiced with David Pastrnak and Tomas Hertl on the first line. Much of Czechia's tournament success hinges on the performance of its top trio. Necas has been in hot form this season, logging 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 52 appearances with the Avalanche.

7 days ago

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog Healthy for Olympics

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) is good to go for the 2026 Olympics. The veteran forward hasn't played since early January, but he has shaken off an upper-body injury in time for the Olympic tournament. Team Sweden named Landeskog captain. After overcoming a career-threatening knee injury, Landeskog has tallied 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 41 games with the Avalanche this season. At Sunday's practice, Landeskog skated on a line with Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks and Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings.

Feb 9

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin had a three-assist game on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks, helping his team secure a 4-2 victory. Nichushkin helped Artturi Lehkonen score two second-period goals, and Josh Manson potted the game-winning goal in the third after work from Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon. With Martin Necas (lower body) out, Nichushkin has skated on the first line with Lehkonen and MacKinnon. The Olympic break comes at the wrong time for him, as the Russian forward has been pointless only once in his last six outings. For the season, Nichushkin has totaled 12 goals and 34 points in 46 games.

Feb 5

Martin Necas • C • Avalanche

Martin Necas Misses Third Consecutive Game

Colorado Avalanche right wing Martin Necas (lower body) will miss Wednesday's matchup with the San Jose Sharks. He's been dealing with a lower-body injury and won't be in the lineup for a third consecutive game. Necas is still expected to play for Czechia at the 2026 Olympics. With Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) also on the shelf, Ross Colton and Victor Olofsson will continue to see top-six usage. Both players are also part of the second power-play unit. Additionally, Necas' departure from the lineup has boosted Valeri Nichushkin's fantasy stock, as he has replaced him on the first line.

Feb 4

Devon Toews • D • Avalanche

Devon Toews Back for Avalanche Monday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (upper body) will return from a 13-game absence on Monday night against the Detroit Red Wings. He has been cleared to play after recovering from an upper-body injury. Toews will link up with his regular partner, Cale Makar, on the first defensive pairing. Sam Malinski will move to the third pairing. Toews offers defensive balance next to Makar, but occasionally also chips in on offense. He has tallied one goal and 12 assists in 40 outings. Additionally, Toews has blocked 58 shots and carries a plus-26 rating.

Feb 2

Martin Necas • C • Avalanche

Martin Necas Remains Out Monday

Colorado Avalanche right wing Martin Necas (lower body) will miss a second consecutive game on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. He was absent from the lineup for the first time this season on Saturday against Detroit and will miss at least one more game due to a lower-body injury. The team hopes to have Necas available for Wednesday's tilt against the San Jose Sharks. With Necas out, Valeri Nichushkin moved to the top line on Saturday, recording one assist in a 5-0 win. On Monday, Nichushkin has a chance to post a season-high with a five-game point streak.

Feb 2

Ross Colton • C • Avalanche

Ross Colton Won't Play Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (lower body) will miss a third consecutive game on Wednesday night against the Ottawa Senators. He suffered a lower-body injury a week ago and is considered day-to-day. Colorado has been hopeful that Colton will return at some point during the team's current four-game road trip. There are two more stops on the trip: Thursday in Montreal and Saturday in Detroit. With Colton and Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) on the shelf, Victor Olofsson has received an opportunity on the first line. Meanwhile, Taylor Makar has slotted into the third line.

Jan 28

Devon Toews • D • Avalanche

Devon Toews Still Out Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (upper body) will sit out an 11th consecutive game on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. He remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Toews' next chance to return will be on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. With him out, Sam Malinski has been accompanying Cale Makar on the first defensive pairing. The Cornell University product, who signed a four-year extension earlier this week, has also seen some power-play time. However, Malinski has been in an offensive slump this month, making it on the score sheet just twice in 11 appearances. Overall, he has notched a career-high 24 points (three goals, 21 assists) in 50 outings.

Jan 28

Sam Malinski • D • Avalanche

Sam Malinski Inks Four-Year Extension With Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski signed a four-year, $19 million contract extension on Tuesday. He was rewarded for a career year. With a large chunk of the 2025-26 regular season left, Malinski has already posted his new scoring record with 24 points (three goals, 21 assists) in 50 games. Additionally, he has recorded 98 shots, 56 blocks, 24 hits, and an outstanding plus-26 rating. Last offseason, Malinski inked a one-year, $1.4 million deal with Colorado. The 27-year-old has played a larger role on Colorado's blue line lately due to the absence of Devon Toews (upper body).

Jan 27

Scott Wedgewood • G • Avalanche

Scott Wedgewood Activated From Non-Roster List

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (personal) was activated from the non-roster list. He is ready to rejoin the action after missing Sunday's win over the Toronto Maple Leafs for personal reasons. Wedgewood's wife, Brittany, gave birth to their second child on Thursday. Wedgewood is having an extraordinary season, sharing the league lead with a 2.18 goals-against average and ranking second with a .918 save percentage. He boasts a 20-3-5 record and has produced two shutouts. However, Wedgewood has lost some momentum recently, posting a 2-2-1 record in his last five starts.

Jan 26

Ross Colton • C • Avalanche

Ross Colton Won't Play Friday

Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (lower body) will miss Friday's clash against the Philadelphia Flyers. He sustained a lower-body injury during Wednesday's loss to the Anaheim Ducks and is considered day-to-day. Friday's game will mark Colton's first absence of the season. He has tallied 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 48 contests. Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is ready to return from a 10-game absence and will fill in for Colton on Friday. The Finnish forward is having a disappointing season and shouldn't draw fantasy interest. Colton's first chance to return will be on Sunday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jan 23

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Returns to Action Wednesday

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The Russian forward didn't play in Monday's win over the Washington Capitals after sustaining an upper-body injury in a car accident. Fortunately, Nichushkin has made a quick recovery and should fill his normal duties against Anaheim. Colorado uses Nichushkin on the second line and the second power-play unit. He has tallied 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 38 games this season. In January, Nichushkin has been slumping, finishing scoreless in six of seven appearances.

Jan 22

Ross Colton • C • Avalanche

Ross Colton Good to Go Friday

Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (upper body) will suit up on Friday against the Nashville Predators. Initially, he was doubtful for the game after skipping Thursday's practice due to an upper-body injury. Colton has logged 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) across 45 outings in 2025-26. With Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) sidelined, Colton has received an opportunity to feature in the top six. He has responded by recording four assists over the past three games. However, Colton hasn't scored a goal for 22 consecutive appearances.

Jan 16

Ross Colton • C • Avalanche

Ross Colton Uncertain for Friday

Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (upper body) is questionable for Friday's matchup against the Nashville Predators, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. Colton has yet to miss a game this season, recording 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 45 outings. He has recently skated on the second line due to Gabriel Landeskog's (upper body) absence. If Colton is ruled out for Friday, Victor Olofsson or Gavin Brindley might get a chance in the top six. However, this is a tricky matchup for Colorado against a team that's lost only a handful of games since December.

Jan 16

Mackenzie Blackwood • G • Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood Activated From Injured Reserve

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. In a corresponding move, the team reassigned Trent Miner to the AHL. Blackwood has been unavailable for six games due to a lower-body injury. He will be an option to return to the crease on Friday versus the Nashville Predators. Blackwood leads all goalies with a 2.07 goals-against average and is tied for first with a .924 save percentage. He has a 13-1-1 record. The New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks are the only teams to beat Blackwood this season.

Jan 14

Joel Kiviranta • LW • Avalanche

Joel Kiviranta Labeled Week-to-Week

Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is considered week-to-week. He missed a fifth consecutive game on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The Finnish forward will probably remain out for at least a few more games, but he is expected to recover in time for the Olympics. After posting a career-high 16 goals and 23 points in 79 games last season, Kiviranta has had a limited impact offensively in 2025-26. He has managed only one goal and three assists across 21 outings. Zakhar Bardakov is currently filling Kiviranta's spot on the fourth line, recording assists in back-to-back games.

Jan 9

Devon Toews • D • Avalanche

Devon Toews to Miss at Least Two Weeks

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (upper body) is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks. He was unavailable for a second straight game on Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Samuel Girard has replaced Toews on the first defensive pairing, with Ilya Solovyov slotting into the lineup on the third pairing. While Girard has yet to make a significant fantasy impact despite an expanded role, Solovyov produced an assist in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay. It was his first point in 11 appearances this season.

Jan 7

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog Out for Several Weeks

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) will be sidelined for several weeks. "He's going to miss some weeks," Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said on Tuesday. "I don't know exactly how long [he'll be out]; we'll have a better idea when we get back. We'll see how he's feeling, but he's going to miss some time." Landeskog suffered an upper-body injury on Sunday in a collision with the goalpost in a matchup against the Florida Panthers. In Landeskog's absence, Artturi Lehkonen was promoted to the top line in Tuesday's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Victor Olofsson shifted up to the second line.

Jan 7

Devon Toews • D • Avalanche

Devon Toews Not Expected to Make Quick Return

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (upper body) will miss "some time," Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. Due to an upper-body injury, the 31-year-old sat out his first game of the season on Sunday versus the Florida Panthers. Ilya Solovyov filled the gap in the lineup, though he was limited to 9:40 of ice time. Meanwhile, Samuel Girard saw action next to Cale Makar on the first defensive pairing. Girard will have more fantasy value as a skater on the first defensive pairing, but his production tends to be inconsistent.

Jan 5

Gabriel Landeskog • LW • Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog to Miss "Some Time"

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) is expected to miss several games after sustaining an injury during Sunday's loss to the Florida Panthers. The Avalanche captain crashed into the goalpost and needed assistance to leave the ice. After the game, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said Landeskog is "going to miss some time for sure." So far, Landeskog has played in all 41 games this season, recording 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and 60 hits. Taylor Makar could play regularly during Landeskog's absence, while Ross Colton or Victor Olofsson may step into a top-six role.

Jan 5

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