MacKinnon, Makar Injured as Avalanche Recall Gavin Brindley

The Colorado Avalanche are dealing with injuries to two of their most important players after Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar exited Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators. According to NHL.com’s official injury report, both sustained lower-body injuries and could not finish the game. Colorado recalled forward Gavin Brindley from the AHL’s Colorado Eagles on Friday, adding another development to an already concerning situation.

The timing could hardly be worse for an Avalanche team trying to maintain its position near the top of the Central Division. MacKinnon has recorded 30 points in 20 games, while Makar has 23 points in 19 appearances. Colorado enters the weekend with an 11-6-3 record, and the status of both superstars remains uncertain ahead of Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

The biggest question is whether Colorado can maintain its offensive structure if either player misses additional time. Thursday offered an encouraging glimpse of the team’s depth, but replacing an elite first-line centre and a dominant offensive defenseman requires far more than simply adjusting the lineup for one night.

Why the MacKinnon and Makar Injuries Matter for Colorado

Losing MacKinnon affects much more than Colorado’s scoring totals. His ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone, attack defenders at speed and create scoring opportunities forces opponents to structure their defensive coverage around him. Without that threat, the Avalanche could struggle to generate the same quality of offensive entries and sustained pressure.

Makar presents an equally complicated challenge from the blue line. His skating and puck distribution allow Colorado to turn defensive recoveries into dangerous attacks. He also plays a central role in the power play. If he cannot dress, Colorado must redistribute offensive responsibilities while asking its remaining defensemen to handle additional minutes and more difficult matchups.

There is, however, an important positive from Thursday. Colorado scored twice on the power play and once while shorthanded after losing its superstars. Artturi Lehkonen, Parker Kelly and Gabriel Landeskog provided the goals, as confirmed by the Avalanche’s official game recap.

That response demonstrates the team’s ability to adapt during a game. Whether Colorado can repeat that performance over multiple games without its leading offensive players is a different question.

Colorado Avalanche Roster Changes and Salary Cap Impact

Friday’s recall of Gavin Brindley gives Colorado another forward option. The move is confirmed, but it does not establish that MacKinnon will miss Saturday’s matchup or that either injured player requires a lengthy absence.

If MacKinnon is unavailable, Nazem Kadri and Brock Nelson are among the established forwards who could help carry additional offensive responsibilities. Martin Necas would also become particularly important to Colorado’s transition game. These are potential adjustments rather than confirmed line combinations.

On defense, Devon Toews would be an obvious candidate to take on greater responsibility if Makar cannot play. The challenge is not simply replacing Makar’s minutes. It is replacing the speed, creativity and decision-making that make those minutes so valuable.

The salary cap implications also require some context. MacKinnon carries a $12.6 million annual cap hit, while Makar’s record eight-year, $163.2 million extension begins in 2027-28, with a $20.4 million annual average value. Those figures underline Colorado’s long-term commitment to its superstar core, but injuries do not automatically produce usable cap relief. No injured-reserve or long-term injured-reserve designation for either player has been established in the reporting reviewed for this article. NHL.com has documented Colorado’s long-term contract commitments.

What Happens Next for the Avalanche Against Montreal?

Colorado visits Montreal on Saturday, November 14, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Coach Jared Bednar did not provide a definitive return timetable following the Ottawa game. Sportsnet reported that both injured players were expected to travel with the team to Montreal.

The most important development will be confirmation of their availability. Friday is a scheduled non-practice day for Colorado, making Saturday’s game preparations particularly important for any further medical or lineup information.

If both players are unavailable, expect Colorado’s established veterans to assume larger responsibilities. Special-teams deployment will deserve particular attention after Thursday’s performance, while Brindley’s recall provides the coaching staff with another forward option.

Fantasy hockey managers should also monitor confirmed line combinations before making decisions. A sustained absence for MacKinnon or Makar could change power-play opportunities for other Colorado players, but the duration of either injury remains unknown.

Rob Ellis Analysis: Colorado’s Depth Faces a Real Test

I’ve covered NHL roster construction and the trade market through NHLTradeRumor.com since February 2010, and one lesson continues to stand out: elite depth matters, but elite talent cannot be replaced on a one-for-one basis.

From my perspective, Colorado’s immediate concern is less about finding another star and more about maintaining the structure that allows the entire lineup to succeed. Thursday’s comeback showed that the Avalanche have players capable of stepping up when circumstances change unexpectedly.

There is also an important distinction between a short-term adjustment and a genuine roster problem. Colorado should not need to make a major trade simply because two players left the same game injured. The medical information and the team’s ability to manage additional games, if necessary, should determine whether any larger response becomes appropriate.

For continuing coverage, visit our Colorado Avalanche news and rumors hub, our latest NHL news and our NHL salary cap coverage.

Final Thoughts: Two Stars, One Critical Weekend

Colorado’s response against Ottawa was encouraging, but the real test could come against Montreal if MacKinnon and Makar are unable to play. The Brindley recall provides additional depth without answering the biggest questions surrounding the Avalanche’s stars.

Until there is a more specific medical update, any suggestion of a lengthy absence would be premature. For now, Saturday’s lineup is the development that matters most.

Can Colorado’s depth keep the Avalanche competitive if MacKinnon and Makar both miss time?