Colorado Avalanche’s standout defenseman Cale Makar will be sidelined for multiple games following an upper-body injury, according to head coach Jared Bednar’s announcement on Wednesday.
“(He’s) going to be OK. He’s going to miss some time here. Nothing serious, though,” Bednar stated during his Wednesday appearance on Altitude radio.
The injury occurred in the second period of Monday’s commanding 9-2 victory over the Calgary Flames at home in Denver. Makar was unable to return for the final period of play.
Despite recording three assists in the game, Makar absorbed a significant hit from Adam Klapka but managed to complete that shift and participate in two additional shifts before being declared out for the remainder of the contest late in the third period.
The 27-year-old defenseman currently sits third among Avalanche players in scoring with 75 points, including 20 goals and 55 assists this season.
Makar achieved a notable milestone last June when he became one of only a select group of players to capture multiple Norris trophies before reaching age 27. This exclusive group includes Hockey Hall of Fame legends Bobby Orr (eight victories), Denis Potvin and Paul Coffey (three each), and Rod Langway (two), along with current Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, who also claimed the award twice before his 27th birthday.
