Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon could return for Saturday’s game, the final game of 2022, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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The middleman has been out since the December 5 game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He missed 11 games due to an upper-body injury.
Head coach Jared Bednar told media on Friday his star could be in uniform. He’ll be awaiting MacKinnon’s “Go” to add him back to his roster, which could obviously help the defending Stanley Cup champions, who have been defeated in their last two games.
The Nova Scotian has still not donned a jersey that would allow him to accept contact in training, but Bednar said it was just a precaution.
“The next step will be to let us know when he’s ready to play,” the pilot said, according to the National League website. In Nate’s case, he’s ice skating. He spent three exercises with the team. He does everything.”
Before his injury, MacKinnon was driving at his usual statistical pace with 34 points in 23 games. He notably scored five points against the Buffalo Sabers on December 1.
With 41 points in 34 games, the Avalanche ranks fourth in the Central Division.