Breaking: Top Colorado Avalanche’s Star Suffers Terrible Injury, Return Uncertain

The Colorado Avalanche will be without winger  at the start of the season, as confirmed by team sources. Originally, Daily Faceoff listed Lehkonen as the second-line left winger but hasn’t provided a timeline for his return.

This uncertainty around his injury creates a big question mark for the Avs’ top-six forwards. In response, Daily Faceoff has adjusted its lineup predictions, now featuring Miles Wood as the second-line left winger.

Is Wood the right fit for the Avalanche to replace him in the lineup?

Wood might serve as a temporary solution. Playing alongside Casey Mittelstadt and Nikolai Kovalenko on the second line could be beneficial for him.

But can Wood make the role his own? If he performs well, the Avalanche could easily and affordably fill the remaining bottom-six positions.

However, the larger issue is Lehkonen’s potential long-term absence. If Wood doesn’t rise to the occasion, should the Avalanche seek another winger to fill in?

That presents a challenge. Trading for a top-six winger would be both difficult and costly. The most realistic scenario would be hoping a strong middle-six player becomes available on waivers, but that’s unlikely.

For now, the Avalanche’s best option might be to promote from within. This could encourage current players to work hard during camp, knowing a top-six spot is open.

Gabriel Landeskog as a potential replacement

While Wood is a possible short-term option, there’s another obvious candidate: Gabriel Landeskog.

Landeskog has expressed his intention to return to the ice this season, with coach Jared Bednar hinting he could be back sooner than expected.

So, why not slot Landeskog into the second-line spot?

 

 

If Landeskog’s knee holds up and he can perform at his usual level, he would be the ideal in-house replacement. Until he returns, someone like Miles Wood could hold the position, reducing the urgency to find a permanent top-six winger.

Still, relying on Landeskog is a gamble. There’s no set timeline for his return, and it’s unclear if he’ll be effective when he does play.

If Landeskog isn’t able to return this season, and if Lehkonen’s injury keeps him out long-term, the Avalanche might need to consider trading for a top-six left winger. Such a move could happen around the holiday season, once the playoff picture becomes clearer.