The injuries keep coming for the Avalanche, and the latest is arguably the biggest blow yet.
Star center Nathan MacKinnon left Colorado's game on Monday night in the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return. It is unclear how long MacKinnon will be out.
Losing MacKinnon is a tough blow as is. But the injury to one of their stars is just one more in what has been an extensive list for Colorado to start the 2022-23 season, especially at the forward position. MacKinnon joins Gabriel Landeskog, Valeri Nichushkin, Evan Rodrigues, Artturi Lehkonen, Darren Helm, Shane Bowers and Jean-Luc Foudy as forwards currently sidelined. In total, the Avs have been forced to use 22 different forwards so far this season.
MacKinnon, 27, has been Colorado's leading point scorer this season. In 23 games, he has recorded 34 points, and at the time of his injury, his 26 assists are tied with Connor McDavid for the league lead in that category.
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Nathan MacKinnon injury update
MacKinnon left the Avalanche's contest vs. the Flyers around the eight-minute mark of the first period. He appeared to be favoring his side, went down the tunnel and did not return.
How MacKinnon got hurt is unclear. He appeared to be in some pain after taking a shot early in the first period.
#Avs star Nathan MacKinnon appeared to have some discomfort after this first period shot. Left the game. Will see if he returns to the bench after intermission. pic.twitter.com/O6YWZ7VBNT
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) December 6, 2022
Injuries aren't something out of the ordinary for MacKinnon. Just last season, a concussion and an upper-body injury combined to keep him out of 17 games. In fact, he has been sidelined at some point in each of the last four seasons.
How long is Nathan MacKinnon out?
The Avalanche announced Tuesday night that MacKinnon is expected to miss the next four weeks with an upper body injury, adding onto a lengthy list of extended absences for Colorado.
Nathan MacKinnon (upper body) will miss approximately 4 weeks. pic.twitter.com/EENYbYOQJu
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 7, 2022
Jared Bednar was initially reluctant to put a timeline on MacKinnon during during an interview on Altitude Radio on Tuesday, but he did hint that MacKinnon would "miss some time."
Visiting with @Avalanche coach Jared Bednar now. Doesn't have an update on Mackinnon but doesn't look promising.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 6, 2022
"The fact he's leaving early in the game is not a good sign. We know he's gonna miss some time. Just don't know how long". @AltitudeSR 92.5