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The Colorado Avalanche have made a roster move that could signal concern over the health of star defenseman Cale Makar. Makar left practice early, sparking questions about the severity of his condition. Although head coach Jared Bednar initially stated that Makar would join the team on its upcoming road trip, the subsequent recall of defenseman Alex Gange from the AHL's Colorado Eagles suggests the team is taking precautions.
The recall was first noted by Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette when Gange appeared on the Avalanche's roster on their website, and the team later confirmed the move on social media. Gange, who has yet to make his NHL debut, adds depth to a defense corps already missing Josh Manson, who is sidelined with an ankle injury expected to keep him out for at least another month and a half.
With Manson unavailable, offseason signing Noah Juulsen has stepped into a larger role after previously serving as the seventh defenseman. The Avalanche now need extra bodies on the roster in case Makar's injury proves more serious than initially thought.
Gange, 23, has spent parts of the past two seasons with the Eagles. In 72 AHL games, he has recorded one goal and 12 assists for 13 points in 58 games last season, and he has two goals in 12 games this season.
Key Analysis
The Avalanche are navigating a critical stretch of the season, and the potential loss of Makar for any extended period would be a significant blow. Manson's absence already weakens the team's physicality and defensive prowess, and losing Makar would compound the challenge. Colorado has struggled to meet expectations recently, going 5-4-1 in its last 10 games, though the team remains tied for second in the Central Division with 22 points. The power play showed improvement against the Detroit Red Wings, with better puck movement, zone entries, and shot generation. However, managing Makar's nagging injury is crucial to sustaining that progress.
The Avalanche will face the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, and Utah Mammoth on their upcoming road trip. With no back-to-back games, the team may opt to give Gange a game in place of Makar to allow additional rest for whatever is ailing him.