Middleton was the fourth-round pick, 101st overall, of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has been a product of the Avalanche since the 2020-21 season but had only played three NHL games before this season. In 10 games this season, the 26-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has zero points, 10 blocks, and 14 hits. He signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV).
Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens but he is expected to miss 7-10 days so that looks unlikely.
Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. Colorado will likely provide an update on Nichushkin before they return to the ice on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.
Colorado will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday when they visit the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been tremendous since joining the Avalanche earlier this month, posting a superb 1.82 GAA and .940 SV% in five games (4-1-0). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -202 home favorites against a Jets club that played last night, defeating the Nashville Predators 3-0.
Calvin de Haan will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets, allowing Middleton to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has zero points, nine blocks, and 13 hits in nine games this season.
Ivan played a season-low 5:07 time-on-ice in Colorado's most recent game and was absent from practice on Monday and Tuesday, expecting to be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 37 games this season.
Colorado will turn to Blackwood between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday when they visit the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been tremendous since joining the Avalanche earlier this month, posting a superb 1.82 GAA and .940 SV% in five games (4-1-0). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -202 home favorites against a Jets club that played last night, defeating the Nashville Predators 3-0.
Ivan played a season-low 5:07 time-on-ice in Colorado's most recent game and was absent from practice on Monday due to an upper-body injury. The 22-year-old Czech forward has eight points (5G / 3A) in 37 games this season.
Drury has been out of the lineup since suffering an injury on December 10th. The 24-year-old Drury is averaging 13:09 time-on-ice and has nine points (3G / 6A) in 28 games this season. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has seen his deployment increase since Drury has been sidelined.
Manson has not played since November 29th, missing 12 games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against Utah. Before his injury, the 33-year-old Manson was averaging 17:52 time-on-ice and had six points (1G / 5A) in 24 games.
Fresh off of signing a five-year contract extension, Blackwood will be between the pipes for Colorado on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.05 GAA and .905 SV% in 219 career games (84-92-25), primarily while playing for non-playoff teams in New Jersey and San Jose, but has been tremendous since joining Colorado, posting a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV% in four games (3-1-0). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -130 road favorites against Utah.
Blackwood was acquired in a trade from the San Jose Sharks nearly three weeks ago and has been excellent since his debut with Colorado. Blackwood has a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV%, earning himself a five-year contract extension after only four games with the Avalanche (3-1-0). The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.05 GAA and .905 SV% in 219 career games (84-92-25), primarily while playing for non-playoff teams in New Jersey and San Jose.
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said he is hopeful that Manson will return to the lineup after the Christmas break.
Wedgewood will make his fifth start as a member of the Avalanche when Colorado travels to Anaheim to take on the Ducks on Friday. Wedgewood took the loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 22 shots in a 4-1 defeat against Utah. The 32-year-old netminder has posted a 3-2-0 record and an impressive .931 SV% in five appearances since being acquired from the Stars. He’s got a great chance of getting back in the win column on Friday, as the Avs enter action at -215 on the money line.
Felhaber is an undrafted 26-year-old that was signed by the Avalanche last week. He made his NHL debut on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks, recording one hit in 4:34 time-on-ice. In 23 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season, Felhaber has 13 points (8G / 5A).
Despite a 1-1-0 record, Blackwood has been tremendous since joining the Avalanche, posting a stellar 2.05 GAA and .937 SV%. He will return to the crease for a third straight game when Colorado visits his former team, the San Jose Sharks. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizeable -246 road favorites against a Sharks club that has lost five of their last six (1-5-0).
Drury has been out of the lineup since suffering an injury last Tuesday. The 24-year-old Drury is averaging 13:09 time-on-ice and has nine points (3G / 6A) in 28 games this season. Jesperi Kotkaniemi has seen his deployment increase since Drury has been sidelined.
