Colorado Avalanche News

Miner was recalled last week after Scott Wedgewood (lower body) was injured and will make his first career start on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Miner was a seventh-round pick of Colorado in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old netminder was excellent in the AHL last season, posting a 2.10 GAA and .930 SV% in 18 games (9-6-1), but has fallen off slightly in the 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.47 GAA and .903 SV% in 16 outings (8-5-3). Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as sizeable -230 road favorites against a Chicago team outscored 25-11 in their last five games (1-4-0).

Originally slated to return on Colorado's upcoming three-game road trip, Nichushkin has been ruled out for those games by head coach Jared Bednar. Nichushkin has not played since suffering the injury on New Year's Eve against the Jets. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

The Avalanche travel to Chicago, Minnesota, and Winnipeg on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday respectively, meaning Nichushkin should return by the weekend at the latest. Nichushkin has not played since suffering the injury on New Year's Eve against the Jets. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Colorado will roll with Blackwood between the pipes on Monday against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old Blackwood was excellent in his previous outing, a losing effort, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He has a 2.65 GAA and .916 SV% in 27 games this season (12-10-4). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as -117 home favorites against a Panthers club that has only scored eight goals in their previous five games (2-3-0).

Wedgewood was hurt after Zach Benson fell on his right leg in Thursday's 6-5 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Wedgewood had to be helped off the ice and was reportedly wearing a boot post-game. Colorado has recalled Trent Miner to serve as Mackenzie Blackwood's backup in the interim.

Scott Wedgewood exited Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres after a collision with Zach Benson and is expected to be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. Miner could serve as the backup to Mackenzie Blackwood for the entirety of Wedgewood's absence as Colorado head coach Jared Bednar stated that Blackwood will likely see a heavy workload. The 23-year-old Miner has a 2.47 GAA and .903 SV% in 16 games (8-5-3) with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.

Manson has only played three games since returning from a 12-game absence due to an upper-body injury. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:00 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 27 games this season. It's unclear if this ailment is related to his previous injury.

Drury has been out of the lineup since suffering an injury on December 10th. The 24-year-old Drury was averaging 13:09 time-on-ice and had nine points (3G / 6A) in 28 games before his injury. In a corresponding move, Juha Jaaska was reassigned to the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Wedgewood was hurt after Zach Benson fell on his right leg. Wedgewood had to be helped off the ice and was reportedly wearing a boot post-game. Expect an update from the Avalanche in the coming days. But it looks like Wedgewood is going to be out indefinitely.

Kylington has been decimated with injuries the past several seasons and has not played since November 27th, remaining week-to-week. The 27-year-old defenseman has been limited to eight games this season, averaging 12:10 time-on-ice and scoring two points (1G / 1A).

Olausson was the 28th overall pick of the Avalanche in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has played one NHL game each of the past two seasons but has predominantly been an AHL talent. He has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 27 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.

Wedgewood has only played once since December 12th, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on December 20th. Still, the 32-year-old netminder has been solid in limited action with Colorado, posting an impressive 1.93 GAA and .932 SV% in six games (4-2-0). Colorado enters Thursday's contest as -200 home favorites against a Buffalo team whose three-game winning streak snapped in a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.

Wedgewood has only played once since December 12th, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on December 20th. Still, the 32-year-old netminder has been solid in limited action with Colorado, posting an impressive 1.93 GAA and .932 SV% in six games (4-2-0). Colorado enters Thursday's contest as -200 home favorites against a Buffalo team whose three-game winning streak snapped in a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.

Middleton was the fourth-round pick, 101st overall, of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has been a product of the Avalanche since the 2020-21 season but had only played three NHL games before this season. In 10 games this season, the 26-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has zero points, 10 blocks, and 14 hits. He signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV).

Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens but he is expected to miss 7-10 days so that looks unlikely.

Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. Colorado will likely provide an update on Nichushkin before they return to the ice on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.