Makar Scare Exposes Colorado's Fragile Window

The Colorado Avalanche are playing a high-stakes game of catch-up in the West, and the latest scare involving Cale Makar is a massive red flag. As reported by Sports Illustrated, Colorado Hockey Now's Aarif Deen noted that the star defenseman appeared to be in pain as he left Sunday's practice early with a team trainer. This follows a Saturday game against the Detroit Red Wings where Makar took an awkward fall and briefly left the ice.

While head coach Jared Bednar told Sports Illustrated that Makar left for "precautionary reasons," the timing is disastrous. Colorado is embarking on a four-game road trip starting November 10, facing the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens before a critical Central Division clash with the Utah Mammoth on November 18.

Colorado's championship window is slamming shut if they cannot keep Makar healthy. He is the engine of the team, anchoring the defense and quarterbacking the top power-play unit—a role highlighted by his three-point performance against Detroit. Without him, Bednar is forced into difficult lineup decisions, especially after recently pairing Makar with Brett Kulak and Devon Toews with Sam Malinski.

The Avalanche are already reeling from injuries. Sports Illustrated reports that Josh Manson is expected to be out until nearly 2027, while Zachary L’Heureux remains on the injured list without a return date. In my opinion, the Avalanche cannot afford to press Makar into action. Risking a long-term setback for a few early-season games would be catastrophic for a team that relies so heavily on its 27-year-old cornerstone to remain competitive.