The Colorado Avalanche are taking a cautious approach with star defenseman Cale Makar after he suffered an upper-body injury late in the regular season.
Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed that Makar will miss a few games while the team focuses on protecting his long-term health. With the Stanley Cup Playoffs approaching and the Avalanche holding a strong position in the standings, the organization is prioritizing recovery rather than rushing their top defenseman back into action.
Despite the temporary absence, the expectation inside the team remains optimistic that Makar will return before the postseason begins.
Avs head coach Jared Bednar took an attempted dump-in from Keegan Kolesar to the side of the head and has left the bench 🤕 pic.twitter.com/Qh0uQQSXgd
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 12, 2026
How the Injury Happened
Makar’s injury occurred during Colorado’s dominant win over the Calgary Flames earlier in the season.
The defenseman took a hit along the boards during the second period. He finished the shift and even played briefly afterward, but he did not return to the game for the final period.
The Avalanche coaching staff decided to shut him down shortly after the incident to avoid aggravating the injury.
Cale Makar’s Elite Season Performance
Even with the injury interruption, Makar has delivered another elite season for Colorado and continues to rank among the NHL’s most productive defensemen.
Cale Makar 2025-26 Season Stats
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 73 |
| Goals | 20 |
| Assists | 55 |
| Points | 75 |
| Ranking Among Defensemen | Top 3 in NHL |
The Avalanche star also reached a major career milestone earlier in the season, becoming one of the fastest defensemen in NHL history to reach 500 career points.
His offensive ability combined with strong defensive play has made him one of the most important players in Colorado’s lineup.
Avalanche Strategy: Protecting a Franchise Player
Colorado’s coaching staff has made it clear that protecting Makar’s health is the top priority.
With the Avalanche currently sitting at the top of the Western Conference standings, the team has the flexibility to manage injuries without risking their playoff position.
Resting Makar for several games allows the defenseman to fully recover before the postseason begins, when his presence will be critical for the Avalanche’s championship ambitions.
Defensive Adjustments During Makar’s Absence
While Makar is unavailable, other members of the Avalanche defensive unit are expected to take on larger roles.
Defensive responsibilities during Makar absence
| Player | Expected Role |
|---|---|
| Devon Toews | Increased ice time and defensive leadership |
| Josh Manson | Additional defensive minutes |
| Brent Burns | Power play and offensive support |
| Sam Malinski | Depth defensive support |
These adjustments help maintain defensive stability while the team waits for Makar’s return.
Avalanche Continue Strong Season Despite Injuries
Colorado continues to perform at a high level even with injury concerns.
Avalanche Season Snapshot
| Record | Points | Western Conference Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 52-16-10 | 112 Points | 1st |
The team is also chasing the Presidents’ Trophy, awarded to the NHL team with the best regular season record.
Maintaining momentum while keeping key players healthy has become the primary focus as the regular season reaches its final stage.
Few defensemen in the NHL influence a game the way Makar does.
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He contributes in multiple areas including:
- Power-play offense
- Transition skating and puck movement
- Defensive zone coverage
- High-minute workloads against top opponents
Colorado’s Stanley Cup hopes heavily depend on having a fully healthy Makar when the playoffs begin.
The Avalanche medical staff will continue evaluating Makar over the coming days. The team expects him to return before the playoffs if recovery continues as planned.
Because Colorado has already secured a strong position in the standings, the organization can afford to give him additional recovery time if necessary.
The priority remains ensuring that one of the NHL’s most dynamic defensemen is fully healthy for the postseason push.
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