The Colorado Avalanche are rolling, and they might be getting a little more firepower back sooner than expected. Head coach Jared Bednar shared some encouraging news on Denver’s Altitude Sports Radio about the status of rookie forward Gavin Brindley, who’s currently sidelined. According to Bednar, Brindley is ahead of schedule in his recovery and could rejoin the lineup before the team wraps up its current road trip.
That’s a solid boost for a player who’s made the most of limited minutes this season. Brindley, just 21 years old, has chipped in four goals and seven points in 18 games while averaging just over nine minutes a night.
That kind of production from the bottom six doesn’t go unnoticed-Colorado rewarded him earlier this year with a two-year, $1.75 million extension. It’s the kind of deal that reflects both what he’s already brought to the table and what the team believes he can become.
Still, the Avalanche haven’t exactly missed a beat in his absence. Since Brindley went down, Colorado has gone 5-0-1, outscoring opponents 22-6 in that stretch.
That’s not just winning-that’s domination. And it speaks to the depth and structure of this team.
Even when pieces are missing, the machine keeps humming.
On the other end of the injury spectrum, there’s less clarity surrounding Logan O’Connor. The veteran forward hasn’t played since the Avalanche’s Game Seven loss to the Dallas Stars in last year’s playoffs, still working his way back from a hip injury.
Bednar didn’t offer a specific timeline, and it sounds like the team is still waiting to get a better sense of when O’Connor might be ready to return. For now, it’s a wait-and-see situation.
Around the Central Division, there are more updates worth keeping an eye on.
In Winnipeg, the Jets are staying patient with Connor Hellebuyck, but the signs are trending in the right direction. Head coach Scott Arniel said the star goaltender is expected to resume skating soon, and importantly, he hasn’t suffered any setbacks.
That’s a big win in itself. Hellebuyck remains on track with his recovery, even if an early return isn’t in the cards.
Arniel even joked he might wrap him in “four yellow jerseys” to keep him protected during non-contact sessions. Without their Vezina-caliber netminder, the Jets have struggled, going 2-5-0 and allowing 25 goals on 204 shots-a .877 save percentage that tells the story.
Meanwhile in Nashville, it looks like Michael McCarron is ready to go. The big center was back at full participation in practice after missing the Predators’ last game with a lower-body injury.
That’s welcome news for a team that leans on McCarron’s physical presence and faceoff ability in the bottom six. He’s got one goal and five points through 25 games this season, and he’s been solid in the circle, winning nearly 54% of his draws.
Injuries are part of the grind, especially as the season wears on, but for teams like Colorado, Winnipeg, and Nashville, how they manage these absences-and how quickly they can get key players back-could shape the direction of their seasons. For now, the Avalanche are proving they’ve got the depth to weather the storm, and if Brindley returns soon, they’ll be even tougher to slow down.