Colorado is locked into third place in the Central Division and will rest several key players for their final two games, including Ross Colton, in anticipation of their first round playoff matchup. The 28-year-old Colton ends the 2024-25 campaign with 29 points (16G / 13A) in 61 games.
Colton was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with the Avalanche not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Chris Wagner will draw into the lineup in his place.
Colton suffered a lower-body injury at the end of October and was given a 6-8 week recovery timeline. Before his injury, the 28-year-old Colton was leading Colorado with eight goals in 10 game.
Colton played 15:00 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks due to a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old Colton was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot after the game and is expected to be out of the lineup for 6-8 weeks. The 28-year-old Colton was leading Colorado with eight goals in 10 games and is another loss for an Avalanche club decimated with early-season injuries.
Colton was injured in Monday's loss and is expected to "miss some time," so it's not surprising to see him land on IR to open up a spot on the Avalanche roster for Wednesday's game. It's unclear whether Artturi Lehkonen or Jonathan Drouin are ready to make their returns to replace Colton or if they will need to recall a forward from the AHL.
Colton played 15:00 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks due to a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old Colton was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot after the game and is expected to be out of the lineup for an extended period of time.
Colton exited Thursday's 5-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club with an upper-body injury after 11:07 time-on-ice. Colton managed a goal before his exit, his seventh in eight games to start the season. Despite not practicing on Saturday, he will return to the lineup on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators.
Colton exited Thursday's 5-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club with an upper-body injury after 11:07 time-on-ice. Colton managed a goal before his exit, his seventh in eight games to start the season. Further updates on Colton's status will likely be provided this weekend. The Avalanche return to action on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators.
Colton has been out of the lineup since blocking a shot in the third period on December 27th, exiting the game after playing only 11:16 time-on-ice. Before leaving the game, Colton recorded four hits and extended his point streak to two games with an assist. He has been a game-time decision in each game since his injury.
Colton blocked a shot in the third period of Wednesday's game and exited after playing only 11:16 time-on-ice with an undisclosed injury. Before leaving the game, Colton recorded four hits and extended his point streak to two games with an assist. He was considered a game-time decision for Friday's game in St. Louis.
Colton blocked a shot in the third period of Wednesday's game and exited after playing only 11:16 time-on-ice with an undisclosed injury. Before leaving the game, Colton recorded four hits and extended his point streak to two games with an assist. His status for Friday's game against the St. Louis Blues remains up in the air.
Colton blocked a shot in the third period and exited the game after playing only 11:16 time-on-ice with an undisclosed injury. Before leaving the game, Colton recorded four hits and extended his point streak to two games with an assist. His status for Friday's game against the St. Louis Blues remains up in the air.
Colton had 16 goals, 16 assist, 153 SOG, 50 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 81 games with Tampa Bay in 2022-23 and has signed a four-year, $16 million contract ($4,000,000 AAV) with Colorado. The 26-year-old centre was acquired for a 2023 second-round pick back in June and brings 47 goals and 83 points across 190 games played to the Avalanche.
Colton has been a solid middle-6 forward for the Lightning over the last two seasons, scoring 38 goals with 33 assists (71 points) while compiling 341 hits in 160 games. The Avalanche were in desperate need of bottom-6 help, with J.T. Compher, Lars Eller, Evan Rodrigues, Darren Helm, Matt Nieto and Andrew Cogliano all still unsigned and set to become UFAs on Saturday.
Colton missed the Lightnings' previous game due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into the lineup Friday vs. St. Louis. Prior to the injury, the three-year pro was having his best season to date with four goals and nine points along with 14 PIMs through 18 games this season.
