For the second time in less than two weeks, Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar has entered the concussion protocol. Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed on Denver radio that Makar experienced delayed symptoms, just like he did earlier this month. He is out for now as the team continues to monitor the effects of this latest issue.
Makar had just returned to the Avalanche lineup but collided with Alexey Toropchenko in the third period of Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. As Peter Baugh of The Athletic reported, it wasn’t the concussion spotter who pulled him from the game initially; Makar believed his nose was cut by his visor and went to the room on his own before eventually returning.
The 24-year-old has logged an incredible amount of ice time for Colorado this season, averaging close to 27 minutes a night in his 46 appearances. Those appearances have unfortunately been limited in recent weeks and are now unclear moving forward.
The Avalanche can’t really afford to lose him for very long. The team is in third place in the Central but has a very tenuous grasp on that position, with the Minnesota Wild behind them. Sure, the rest of the defending champions are good enough to keep them in a playoff spot, but Makar is the engine that makes everything run, playing nearly half the game and contributing a ton at both ends of the rink.
Two concussions in such a short period is a scary thought and one that should keep Makar out for a little while as they make sure he won’t have any lingering effects.
Makar’s absence will hit them harder than most people think. “…Makar is the engine that makes everything run…” is not hyperbole. He’s a huge factor to their success, and missing him for a significant length of time (whatever that will be) *could* bubble them right back out of the playoff picture, as the rest of the sharks in the Central division waters go after them (Except NSH, of course – Hynes and Poile would see to that). Getting Landeskog back soon would help, just not on the back end, of course. This tells Girard to be even more stupid, trying to impersonate a river boat gambler and do too much.
They’re in trouble I hope concussions don’t end his career early
@Toksoon – You and me both! He’s one of, if not the best, young blueline talent in the league right now.
He is the best bar none
IF YOU HEAD HUNT IN THE NHL AND ARE SUSPENDED. YOUR SUSPENSION SHOULD LAST AS LONG AS THE INJURED PLAYER IS OUT OF ACTION
@Mikegna—I like that idea, especially in upper case. Unfortunately for us, Bettman seems to think the NHL can’t lose another concussion lawsuit in the future. He and Campbell also like to call this “playing through adversity.” It’s not adversity, it’s a damn penalty.
So if a 4th line scrub gets hit in the head by Marchand, you don’t think they 4th line scrub is going to be out indefinitely to keep Marchand out as well? Ripe for manipulation your rule is.
Then don’t make the hit
Agreed, just make it a stiff penalty without pay. 20 games or more importantly, roughly 25% of your salary. Union should be fine with it as you are protecting the players. Determine it by a panel of a league official , a union official, and an ex-player. Probably the best that can be done.
That works until you have an AHL call up going into the corner with Sid the Kid and have him flop; he stays out of the lineup for a long time while Sid can’t return either. And don’t say it won’t happen, look at all this garbage flopping you have now, it’s as bad as soccer.