The Colorado Avalanche have announced via Head Coach Jared Bednar that defenceman Nikita Zadorov is out indefinitely with a head injury. Sources suggest that it is indeed a facial fracture/broken jaw (per AJ Haefele). The injury occurred in the second period of the Avalanches’ 9-4 win over the Nashville Predators.
Sources indicate Nikita Zadorov suffered a broken jaw last night and will have some teeth rearrangement work done today.
— AJ Haefele (@AJHaefele) November 8, 2019
Nikita Zadorov Goes Down
Zadorov took a puck to the face in what was a pretty standard play. He was stationary behind his own blue line when an attempted puck dump struck him in the face. Zadorov was motionless as play continued but got back to the bench under his own power. Bleeding heavily, the six-feet five Russian went straight to the locker room and did not return to the game.
The former 2013 first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres has three points in 15 games. This has been a tough season individually. Bad penalties and turnovers had seen him relegated to a healthy scratch and demoted down the pairings. In what is a prove-it type year, the injury is bad timing for the 24-year-old pending restricted free agent.
He has 19 goals and 46 assists for 65 points in 307 career NHL games so far. These have come with the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres drafted him in the first round at 16th overall back in 2013.
Moving Forward
With a newfound depth and with promising prospects, the Avalanche should be able to fill the void. Veteran Mark Barberio and promising youngster Conor Timmins have spent time in the NHL this season. Newly acquired pair Kevin Connauton and Calle Rosen have past NHL experience. In previous seasons depth was an issue, not anymore. Joe Sakic has done a great job in building this club for success.
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