Makar made his NHL debut earlier this season, playing 6:07 time-on-ice, but has primarily been in the AHL. The 24-year-old forward has four points (1G / 3A) in 13 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL).
Ahcan has been a regular in Colorado's lineup the previous two weeks, but he has been reassigned to the AHL. The 28-year-old defenseman averaged 11:21 time-on-ice and scored one assist in six games with the Avalanche.
Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks due to a lower-body injury after only 12:57 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Nichushkin has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 17 games this season, and has been more productive lately, with nine points (3G / 6A) in his last 10 games. Colorado's head coach, Jared Bednar, was unable to provide a concrete update on Nichushkin's timeline, other than stating he will "miss some time."
Colorado has been cautious with Blackwood's return from a lower-body injury, playing only two games since his return at the beginning of November, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 28-year-old goalie is still finding his footing, posting a subpar 3.42 GAA and .875 SV% in two games (1-0-1). He had a terrific 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% with Colorado in 37 games last season (22-12-3).
Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks due to a lower-body injury after only 12:57 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Nichushkin has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 17 games this season, and has been more productive lately, with nine points (3G / 6A) in his last 10 games. Colorado's head coach Jared Bednar was not able to provide a concrete update on Nichushkin's timeline.
Girard has not played since suffering an upper-body injury in Colorado's second game of the season, but should make his return to the lineup in one of Colorado's next four games during their home stand. The 27-year-old Girard has seen a decreased role in recent seasons, but still tallied 24 points (3G / 21A) in 73 games last season.
Wedgewood continues to see plenty of action even with Mackenzie Blackwood back in the lineup, and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 33-year-old Wedgwood was solid in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a dominant 9-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 2.37 GAA and .906 SV% in 13 games this season (9-1-2). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as a whopping -237 home favorite against the red-hot Ducks, who are riding a seven-game winning streak.
Wedgewood continues to see plenty of action even with Mackenzie Blackwood back in the lineup, and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 33-year-old Wedgwood was solid in his most recent outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a dominant 9-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 2.37 GAA and .906 SV% in 13 games this season (9-1-2). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as a whopping -237 home favorite against the red-hot Ducks, who are riding a seven-game winning streak.
Brindley was drafted 34th overall by the Columbus Blues Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and has established himself as an NHL regular with the Avalanche early in the 2025-26 season. The 21-year-ld forward is averaging 8:58 time-on-ice and has five points (3G / 2A) through 14 games this season.
Gushchin was acquired from the Sharks over the summer but started the season in the AHL, where he has scored nine goals with two assists (11 points) in 11 games. He has yet to play an NHL game this season and will return to the Eagles (AHL).
Brindley missed the last two games with a concussion but will be back on Colorado's fourth line on Saturday. Brindley has one goal and one assist in 12 games this season.
Gushchin was acquired from the Sharks over the summer but started the season in the AHL, where he has scored nine goals with two assists (11 points) in 11 games. It's unclear if he is just an extra forward, or if he will be making his Avalanche debut in Edmonton on Saturday.
Brindley has missed Colorado's last two games due to a concussion, but was back at practice on Friday. The 21-year-old Brindley is averaging 8:41 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) through 12 games in a bottom-six role for the Avalanche.
Makar made his NHL debut last week, playing 6:07 time-on-ice, but will exit the lineup on Tuesday as a healthy scratch. Tristen Nielsen will draw into the lineup as Makar's replacement.
Nielsen is an undrafted forward that has exclusively spent the last five seasons in the AHL. The 25-year-old will suit up for his first NHL game on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has nine points (5G / 4A) in 11 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.
Mackenzie Blackwood made his season debut, returning from a lower-body injury, in Colorado's most recent outing, but the team will err on the side of caution, returning to Wedgewood on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 33-year-old Wedgewood was solid in his last contest, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. He has a 2.53 GAA and .900 SV% in 11 games this season (7-1-2). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -142 home favorites against a red-hot Tampa Bay team riding a five-game winning streak.
