2024-25 Avalanche of Injuries, Part Five
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post
The list is shorter than in past pieces but still has lots of key players. The Colorado Avalanche continues to find life difficult with the absence of several key players on the injured list. Luckily since the last edition of this series in early January, three players have been involved.
Those three players include Ivan Ivan, Scott Wedgewood, and John Ludvig - the latter of three now holding it down in Loveland with the Colorado Eagles. But four still remain, with three big names in particular missing on the front lines.
Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin looked as though he was coming back sometime this week, especially with his most recent appearances at practice as a full participant. But since then, Jared Bednar revealed a second setback he’s suffered in his recovery and is back to a week-to-week status with his lower-body injury.
Of course, Colorado's numerous injuries have hurt them, but the trajectory of rushing players back who were hurt hasn’t helped either. Nichushkin is the most recent example—what was supposed to be a 7-10 day injury has turned into him being out for almost a month and not seeing the ice in 2025.
In the same vein, Nichushkin is incredibly important to how the Avalanche play. Ever since his injury, Colorado has been faltering and is in the thick of the wild card battle amidst a tight Central Division. Avalanche General Manager Chris MacFarland said he’d hoped to be back before the Four Nations break in February. Whenever his return may be, it will be met with open arms by Avs fans.
With Val: 14-7-0Without: 14-12-2The Nichushkin effect. It's too bad he's only played 21 games to date.— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) January 23, 2025
Miles Wood
Wood has been a player off people’s radars for a while now with his month-to-month upper-body injury. However, he has sprouted some life back into him and Avalanche fans with some sporadic appearances at practices in a red non-contact jersey.
He has not shed the jersey just yet, but McFarland dropped a nugget yesterday about when he may return. He too might join Nichushkin in making a comeback before the break. More specifically, he might join the team on the upcoming road trip and play in the next week.
Should he return, it’ll be a big boost in the bottom six. With a team desperate for depth, he may bring just that in his seemingly-close return to the ice.
On @AltitudeSR Chris MacFarland said they’re hoping to get Miles Wood back in the next 7 days or so, perhaps on this upcoming road trip.— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) January 22, 2025
Oliver Kylington
Kylington has been another player quietly tucked away in the cards of the Avalanche. He has not played since November 27 against the Vegas Golden Knights and has been out with an upper-body injury.
Just like Wood, he’s been making some appearances at practices in a red non-contact jersey. His timeline isn’t as well known, and he too might be aiming for a return before the Four Nations break - but it’s unknown.
Oliver Kylington and Miles Wood getting some ice time in before #GoAvsGo practice today. pic.twitter.com/yVu1HroYzR— Bailey Curtis (@baileyycurtis) January 19, 2025
Playing through injury
New to this series, it’s a commonly known fact the Avs play through injury and are not 100% healthy - even those players on the ice playing in games. Those who we know are playing through injury are Cale Makar, Jonathan Drouin, and Josh Manson - and there are likely others who are hiding it well and not making it known.
Makar recently blocked a shot off his foot, leading to a goal for the Dallas Stars last Saturday. Somehow, he managed to return in the third period and scored career goal #101 in the 6-3 win. He did score the game-tying goal last night to force overtime against the Winnipeg Jets and is seemingly handling his foot well for the time being.
Cale Makar took a shot off the inside of his left ankle and needed assistance getting to the locker room pic.twitter.com/jPj25r20iM— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 18, 2025
Drouin has been playing hurt all season since the hit he took in game one against the Vegas Golden Knights in the upper body. It’s caused him to miss several games on two different occasions, only playing in 16 games so far this season. He’s finally found some consistency playing in 11 straight games and managing his injury so far.
Manson hurt his hand against the Dallas Stars back on November 29, causing him to miss a month of action. He has said he’s still managing the injury and is taking care of it while still making it on the ice for games. It’s unlikely he’s going to drop the gloves anytime soon though because of it.
Gabriel Landeskog
Of course, it wouldn’t be an “Avalanche of Injuries” update without anything on the captain. Since the last edition earlier this month, Landeskog has made more public appearances skating with the team, particularly in morning skates.
It started on January 2 against the Buffalo Sabres and has been every home game morning skate they’ve had. There was one exception to this, however - and it was yesterday against the Jets. He did not join the Avs on the ice for the morning skate, interestingly.
I know we over-analyze way too much about Gabriel Landeskog’s status at this point with his continued appearances. But the best part about this video? The pressure spin at the very end on his knee. That’s something we haven’t seen a lot of from him before. Encouraging #GoAvsGo https://t.co/0eS92h4AOq— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) January 16, 2025
He certainly has looked better and better when he does join the team, but it’s the lack of consistency which is concerning. There was a report by ESPN, where it stated he could not skate for consecutive days without his knee swelling up. But the rumor was shut down by Bednar back on January 13.
In the same press conference, he said there’s forward progress for sure but no new or firm deadline for his anticipated return. He even said he doesn’t get daily or weekly updates about his status, simply because of the nature of the injury and recovery process.
Jared Bednar denied that Gabriel Landeskog has been unable to skate consecutive days because his knee starts to swell. “There’s forward progress for sure... But we don't have a new timeline or a firm timeline yet.” pic.twitter.com/MrrdVM5U7a— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports_) January 13, 2025
It’s safe to say he’s continuing to work individually off the ice, as well as on the ice with the team. But if he’s on the ice on his own time is still something up in the air when it comes to his recovery and skating on consecutive days. As said before on this series, it’s just a matter of wait and see and hope for the best in an attempt to return to the NHL.
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