Avalanche Injury Updates: Nathan Mackinnon And Cale Makar Out Weeks Or More

The Colorado Avalanche face an immediate major challenge with superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar sidelined with injuries.

Coach Jared Bednar told reporters on Saturday, Nov. 14 that MacKinnon will miss at least one month and Makar will be out for about two weeks.

The pair had left Thursday's game against the Ottawa Senators after suffering lower-body injuries in the second period.

MacKinnon was cross-checked by Senators defenseman Artem Zub. The forward went down to the ice and grabbed his side before leaving the ice.

Makar limped off the ice later in the second period. He had left practice early on Sunday and was playing in his second game since then.

Makar is a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy as top defenseman, and MacKinnon won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2023-24.

The Avs are without Nathan MacKinnon
and Cale Makar in the third.#NHLpic.twitter.com/8GWoSsiM1Q

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 13, 2026

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar injury updates

MacKinnon will miss one month and Makar will miss about two weeks.

Bednar said Makar had been dealing with a soft-tissue injury and "it just kind of started gradually getting worse."

The two were dealing with injuries last season in the Western Conference finals, one of the reasons that the Avalanche were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights.

How many games could Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon miss?

The Avalanche play six games from Saturday night, when they face the Montreal Canadiens, until Nov. 28. That would cover the two weeks without Makar. The team has off from Nov. 20-24.

Colorado plays 13 games during the next month, the time that MacKinnon is expected to miss.

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar stats

MacKinnon leads the Avalanche with 30 points in 20 games and Makar is third on the team with 23 points in 19 games.

They have combined for 15 points on the power play.

Makar leads the team at 22:25 in average ice time while MacKinnon is the top forward at 20:13.

How will Avalanche lineup adjust?

Recent callups forward Gavin Brindley and defenseman Alex Gagne will play in Montreal. Gagne will make his NHL debut and play alongside Brent Burns, who's making his 1,600th appearance.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Avalanche injury updates: Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar out weeks or more