Ad
Colorado Avalanche News
Wedgewood left Thursday’s game vs. Buffalo with a lower-body injury.

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.

Scott Wedgewood
Wedgewood will start vs. Buffalo on Thursday.

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.

Scott Wedgewood
Wedgewood is expected to start vs. Buffalo on Thursday.

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.

Scott Wedgewood
Colorado has signed Keaton Middleton to a two-year, contract extension.

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).

Keaton Middleton
Nichuskin (lower-body) is out on Thursday vs. Buffalo and is considered day-to-day.

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.

Valeri Nichushkin
Nichushkin left Tuesday’s game vs. Winnipeg with a lower-body injury and did not return.

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.

Valeri Nichushkin
Blackwood will start vs. Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Colorado will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday when they visit the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been tremendous since joining the Avalanche earlier this month, posting a superb 1.82 GAA and .940 SV% in five games (4-1-0). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -202 home favorites against a Jets club that played last night, defeating the Nashville Predators 3-0.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Middleton is expected to draw into Colorado's lineup on Tuesday vs. Winnipeg.

Calvin de Haan will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets, allowing Middleton to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has zero points, nine blocks, and 13 hits in nine games this season.

Keaton Middleton
Ivan (upper-body) is considered week-to-week and has been placed on IR.

Ivan played a season-low 5:07 time-on-ice in Colorado's most recent game and was absent from practice on Monday and Tuesday, expecting to be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 37 games this season.

Ivan Ivan
Blackwood is expected to start vs. Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Colorado will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday when they visit the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been tremendous since joining the Avalanche earlier this month, posting a superb 1.82 GAA and .940 SV% in five games (4-1-0). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -202 home favorites against a Jets club that played last night, defeating the Nashville Predators 3-0.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Ivan (upper-body) missed practice on Monday and is being further evaluated.

Ivan played a season-low 5:07 time-on-ice in Colorado's most recent game and was absent from practice on Monday due to an upper-body injury. The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 37 games this season.

Ivan Ivan
Drouin (upper-body) will return to Colorado's lineup on Tuesday vs. Winnipeg.

Drouin has missed the last 16 games with an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old Drouin has four points (2G / 2A) in five games this season. He was working with the top powerplay unit at practice on Monday.

Jonathan Drouin
Manson (upper-body) will return to Colorado's lineup in Utah on Friday.

Manson has not played since November 29th, missing 12 games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against Utah. Before his injury, the 33-year-old Manson was averaging 17:52 time-on-ice and had six points (1G / 5A) in 24 games.

Josh Manson
Blackwood will start in Utah on Friday.

Fresh off of signing a five-year contract extension, Blackwood will be between the pipes for Colorado on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.05 GAA and .905 SV% in 219 career games (84-92-25), primarily while playing for non-playoff teams in New Jersey and San Jose, but has been tremendous since joining Colorado, posting a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV% in four games (3-1-0). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -130 road favorites against Utah.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Colorado has signed Mackenzie Blackwood to a five-year, $26.25 million contract extension.

Blackwood was acquired in a trade from the San Jose Sharks nearly three weeks ago and has been excellent since his debut with Colorado. Blackwood has a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV%, earning himself a five-year contract extension after only four games with the Avalanche (3-1-0). The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.05 GAA and .905 SV% in 219 career games (84-92-25), primarily while playing for non-playoff teams in New Jersey and San Jose.

Mackenzie Blackwood