Colorado Avalanche fans, you might want to turn away from this news. The organization reported on Monday evening that 21-year-old blue liner Nikita Zadorov will be out for the rest of the year with a fractured ankle.
Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov sidelined the rest of the season with ankle injury
The injury occurred during a practice on Monday.
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Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
It’s just another hit in an entire season’s worth of bad news. The Avalanche are the NHL’s worst team by a wide margin, with just 35 points in 57 games this year. Their two biggest names in Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog are being shopped heavily before the trade deadline. And now, the development of one of their best young players has been halted due to injury.
The injury occurred during a practice, where Zadorov reportedly collided with rookie forward Mikko Rantanen and was unable to put weight on his leg.
In 50 games played this year, Zadorov had just 10 points. However, Zadorov represents the Avalanche’s hope for a bright future on defense, as many hope the 2013 first-round pick will blossom into a top-pairing blue liner.
Zadorov will miss the Avalanche’s remaining 25 games this season.
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