NHL News: Nathan MacKinnon Out at Least a Month, Cale Makar Two Weeks

The Colorado Avalanche have received devastating injury news. Nathan MacKinnon is expected to miss at least one month, while Cale Makar will be sidelined for approximately two weeks with lower-body injuries. According to Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette, head coach Jared Bednar announced both recovery timelines Saturday, November 14, before Colorado’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens.

The injuries occurred during Colorado’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators on November 12. MacKinnon departed following a collision with defenseman Artem Zub, while Makar exited after experiencing discomfort during a shift. The NHL’s original injury report confirmed that both players suffered lower-body injuries and could not finish the contest.

For Colorado, this is more than a temporary loss of star power. The Avalanche must replace their first-line center and most influential defenseman simultaneously, forcing adjustments to their offensive structure, power play and defensive deployment. The decisions made over the next several weeks could determine whether Colorado maintains its position near the top of the Central Division.

Why the MacKinnon and Makar Injuries Could Change Colorado’s Season

MacKinnon entered the weekend with 30 points in 20 games, including 10 goals and 20 assists. Makar had accumulated 23 points in 19 appearances, with five goals and 18 assists. Together, they represent the two most important components of Colorado’s offensive system: MacKinnon’s ability to generate dangerous possessions through the middle and Makar’s exceptional puck movement from the blue line.

What concerns me most is how the two absences reinforce each other. Without MacKinnon, Colorado loses an elite center who commands defensive attention and creates shooting opportunities for his linemates. Without Makar, the Avalanche also lose a defenseman who accelerates breakouts, activates offensively and helps sustain pressure after the initial rush.

The Avalanche entered Saturday at 11-6-3, third in the Central Division. Maintaining that position will require contributions from players who already carry significant responsibilities. Martin Necas had 24 points, Artturi Lehkonen had 14 goals, and Devon Toews had 19 points entering the weekend.

Necas and Lehkonen are especially important because they have the skill to continue generating offense without MacKinnon. Brock Nelson and Nazem Kadri offer experienced options down the middle. On defense, Toews and Sam Malinski should take on greater responsibility, with Brett Kulak and Brent Burns also needing to absorb demanding minutes.

Colorado Avalanche Roster Changes and Salary Cap Implications

Colorado has already recalled forward Gavin Brindley from the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. Rookie defenseman Alex Gagne is expected to enter the lineup in Makar’s absence, according to Rawal’s November 14 report. Neither player should be viewed as a direct replacement for a superstar, but both can help maintain lineup depth while Bednar redistributes minutes.

Kadri is a logical candidate to move into a larger offensive role. He was used higher in the lineup after MacKinnon exited in Ottawa. Nelson provides another established center option, while Nicolas Roy and Parker Kelly give Bednar flexibility to restructure the bottom six.

The power play may face the greatest tactical adjustment. MacKinnon creates shooting and passing threats from the flank, while Makar organizes puck movement along the blue line. With both unavailable, Colorado could increase Kadri’s offensive responsibilities and give Toews a larger role directing the first unit.

The salary-cap consequences are more complicated than simply subtracting two contracts. According to PuckPedia, MacKinnon carries a 2026-27 cap hit of approximately $12.604 million, while Makar carries a $9 million cap hit. Makar’s new $20.4 million annual extension does not begin until 2027-28.

MacKinnon’s reported recovery window raises the possibility of long-term injured reserve considerations. NHL rules generally require a player to be unavailable for at least 10 regular-season games and 24 calendar days to qualify. Colorado has not confirmed an LTIR move for either star. Makar’s reported two-week timeline alone does not establish eligibility.

Fans can monitor the club’s finances through our Colorado Avalanche salary cap tracker.

What Happens Next for the Colorado Avalanche?

Colorado’s immediate challenge begins Saturday night against Montreal, one of the NHL’s strongest early-season teams. The Canadiens entered the matchup with a 12-3-4 record. That makes this a meaningful test of whether Colorado can remain competitive without its two biggest difference-makers.

Bednar’s first priority should be establishing dependable five-on-five combinations instead of trying to replicate MacKinnon and Makar’s production through individual replacements. There is no realistic one-for-one substitute on the current roster. The more practical approach is to distribute responsibility among established veterans while giving younger players clearly defined assignments.

The situation also warrants monitoring from a trade-market perspective. Colorado could eventually explore additional depth, particularly if other injuries develop. However, surrendering valuable future assets for a short-term replacement would be difficult to justify until management understands how the existing lineup performs.

Readers can follow further developments on our Colorado Avalanche news and trade rumors hub. Our November 13 injury report also details the initial injuries and Brindley’s recall.

Rob Ellis Analysis: The Bigger Picture

I’ve covered the NHL trade market and salary cap developments at NHLTradeRumor.com since February 2010, and my biggest takeaway is that Colorado’s problem is structural rather than simply statistical. Losing an elite scorer is difficult. Losing the defenseman responsible for much of the transition game at the same time changes how every line must approach its shifts.

Without MacKinnon driving the middle of the ice, opposing defenses can redistribute attention toward Necas, Lehkonen and Colorado’s other scoring threats. Without Makar transporting the puck and creating controlled offensive entries, Colorado may spend more time defending and face greater difficulty producing high-quality chances.

That combination puts enormous importance on puck management, defensive-zone exits and special teams. The Avalanche cannot simply ask Kadri, Nelson and Toews to become MacKinnon and Makar. They need to build a different, more balanced approach that allows their remaining talent to succeed.

My preference would be patience rather than an immediate trade. Makar’s reported absence is relatively short, and the club should first evaluate its internal options. The more consequential decision involves how Colorado handles the longer period without MacKinnon, especially if the team begins losing ground in the Central Division.

Final Thoughts: Can Colorado Stay in the Central Division Race?

The Avalanche now face one of their most significant early-season challenges. MacKinnon’s expected month-long absence and Makar’s two-week recovery timeline place additional pressure on a roster built to contend for the Stanley Cup.

Colorado’s results over the coming weeks will help determine whether management can rely on its existing depth or needs reinforcements. The immediate story is the loss of two superstars. The bigger story is how a championship contender adapts without them.

Should the Avalanche pursue short-term help, or trust Kadri, Nelson, Toews and their younger players to keep the team competitive?