Story Summary
Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar may not be ready for the club’s first on-ice session Thursday as he is managing a lower-body injury. Coach Jared Bednar said Makar” has been on the ice” but is” on a little bit of a lighter program” and that ” Whether he’s ready to go Day 1 of training camp is probably unlikely.” Bednar added the issue is new, not related to the upper-body injury that cost Makar two playoff games last season.
Key Facts
- Cale Makar is dealing with a lower-body injury and may miss the Avalanche’s first on-ice session Thursday.
- Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Makar” has been on the ice” but is on ” a little bit of a lighter program” than most players entering main camp.
- Bednar said ” Whether he’s ready to go Day 1 of training camp is probably unlikely” and added the issue is not related to the upper-body injury Makar had in last season’s playoffs.
- Makar had 79 points last season (20 goals, 59 assists) and averaged 24:51 of ice time in 75 regular-season games.
- Makar was a finalist for the Norris Trophy last season.
- Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract Aug. 28 that begins next season.
- Makar missed two games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season because of an upper-body injury.
IHM Discussion
This is a cautious, short-term availability update rather than confirmation of a sustained absence. Bednar said Makar has been on the ice but is following a lighter programme, and described the lower-body issue as new and unrelated to the upper-body injury that cost him two playoff games last season.
Makar’s absence on the first day of camp appears likely, but Bednar said he expects the defenceman to be full go at some point during camp. For now, Colorado can take a gradual approach while monitoring his readiness.
Why It Matters
Makar’s 79 points and 24:51 average ice time underline his importance to Colorado’s blue line. Even a brief delay matters at training camp, when teams begin establishing conditioning, pairings and special-teams work. The Avalanche will want him ready without rushing a new lower-body issue.
Mini Q&A
Will Cale Makar be at the Avalanche’s first on-ice session?
Coach Jared Bednar said Makar” has been on the ice” but is on a lighter program and that ” Whether he’s ready to go Day 1 of training camp is probably unlikely.”
Is this injury related to the one Makar had in the playoffs?
Bednar said the current lower-body issue is not related to the upper-body injury Makar suffered in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
How productive was Makar last season?
Makar had 79 points (20 goals, 59 assists) and averaged 24:51 of ice time in 75 regular-season games, and he was a finalist for the Norris Trophy.
What is the status of Makar’s contract?
Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract Aug. 28 that begins next season.
Coach Mark Comment
A lighter early-camp workload is a sensible way to assess a player’s readiness without making one missed session a larger issue than it is. The key is building his workload steadily once he is ready to take part fully.