The Colorado Avalanche are seeking help up front, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
It's unclear who might be available at this juncture of the season. However, injuries have decimated Colorado's forward group in the early going, with the club missing six members of its top-nine forward group.
Ross Colton (six-to-eight weeks with a broken foot) and Miles Wood (7-to-10 days with an upper-body injury) were the latest to go down. Jonathan Drouin (upper body) hasn't played since the season opener, and Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder) has been out all campaign. Drouin's return remains to be determined, but Lehkonen could be back as early as next week.
Furthermore, captain Gabriel Landeskog hasn't played since the 2022 playoffs, though he said he hopes to return early this season. Still, his comeback doesn't appear imminent.
Valeri Nichushkin remains suspended but could potentially return by mid-November.
Colorado's lineup for Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning featured several minor-league-caliber players, plus a defenseman in Oliver Kylington playing left wing.
Looking a little different. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/HEMHCFKqPL
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 31, 2024
Despite being shorthanded up front, the 5-6-0 Avalanche remain in the top half of the league in goals for per game. The power play - led by the big three of Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen - ranks among the best in the NHL.
