Avalanche News

WESTERN CENTRAL

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.

10 hours ago

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.

10 hours ago

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).

Yesterday

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.

2 days ago

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.

5 days ago

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.

7 days ago

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

Devon Toews • D • Avalanche

Devon Toews Unavailable Sunday

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (upper body) won't suit up for Sunday's clash against the Florida Panthers, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. Toews missed some time in Saturday's win against the Carolina Hurricanes and will take an entire game off on Sunday. Up to this point, Toews had played in all 40 games for Colorado this season, contributing 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) and 58 blocks. Ilya Solovyov is set to fill in for Toews on Sunday; however, he holds no fantasy relevance.

Jan 4

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Takes Over Scoring Lead With Four-Point Effort

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon reclaimed the NHL scoring lead from Edmonton's Connor McDavid on Saturday night, notching four points in a 5-3 road win over the Carolina Hurricanes. He lit the lamp in a fourth consecutive outing and delivered three assists, picking up two points on the power play. After the Utah Mammoth held MacKinnon off the score sheet on Dec. 23, the Avalanche superstar has amassed 13 points (five goals, eight assists) over four games. For the second time this season, MacKinnon has posted four points in back-to-back games. The recent scoring surge has put MacKinnon on track for a monster 152-point year. He has collected 74 points (35 goals, 39 assists) in 40 outings.

Jan 4

Joel Kiviranta • LW • Avalanche

Joel Kiviranta Misses Road Trip

Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is not traveling with the team during a three-game road trip, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. The Finnish veteran will miss a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. In 21 appearances this season, Kiviranta has recorded four points (one goal, three assists), 13 shots, and 30 hits. While he is an effective fourth-line grinder, Kiviranta doesn't provide any fantasy value. In his absence, Zakhar Bardakov will make a second straight appearance on Saturday. Bardakov is unlikely to contribute much, having tallied five points (one goal, four assists) in 26 games this season.

Jan 3

Gavin Brindley • RW • Avalanche

Gavin Brindley Out Saturday

Colorado Avalanche forward Gavin Brindley (lower body) won't be in the lineup on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. The 21-year-old rookie sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday versus the St. Louis Blues. Brindley has been quiet for most of the year, posting nine points (five goals, four assists) in 27 appearances. Taylor Makar will come into the lineup on Saturday, with Brindley joining Joel Kiviranta (lower body) on the sidelines. After three career NHL appearances, Makar is still looking for his first point.

Jan 3

Mackenzie Blackwood • G • Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood Placed on Injured Reserve

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (lower body) was placed on Injured Reserve, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports. Blackwood will be re-evaluated after the team's upcoming three-game road trip, which begins on Saturday with a clash against the Carolina Hurricanes. Colorado has recalled Trent Miner from the AHL to fill Blackwood's spot on the roster. Blackwood has been extraordinary for the Avalanche this season, posting a 13-1-1 record with a league-best 2.07 goals-against average. He is ranked second in the NHL with a save percentage of .924 and has notched two shutouts. While Miner could see action during this weekend's back-to-back, Scott Wedgewood is expected to get the bulk of the work until Blackwood returns.

Jan 3

Valeri Nichushkin • RW • Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin Nets Second Career Hat Trick

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin wrapped up 2025 with his second career hat trick in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. Colorado burst out of the gate with four goals inside the opening 4:39 of action as Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon became only the second set of teammates in NHL history to each score multiple goals in the first five minutes of a game. MacKinnon ended the contest with four points (two goals, two assists). After missing a large chunk of November with a lower-body injury, Nichushkin came back with a vengeance in December, averaging a point per game across 14 outings. He had been held off the score sheet only once in the past nine games. Nichushkin begins 2026 sitting on 36 points (11 goals, 15 assists) through 31 appearances this season.

Jan 1

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