With uncertainty surrounding the availability of Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin for next season, the Colorado Avalanche are hoping for a fully healthy Artturi Lehkonen. Following shoulder surgery this offseason, there’s been some doubt about whether Lehkonen will be ready when training camp begins in three weeks.
He might be somewhat restricted at the start of camp, but there are positive signs that he could be fully prepared for the Avalanche’s season opener on October 9 in Las Vegas.
Lehkonen has been skating at Family Sports for the past two days with a few teammates getting ready for the new season. Although he’s understandably cautious with his shot, seeing him handle the puck is a promising sign. The Avalanche have mentioned they’ll have a clearer picture of his injury status around Labor Day, which is this coming weekend.
Here’s a video I captured of Lehkonen during today’s informal skate.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Lehkonen starts camp with some limitations, as there’s no need to rush him early in the season. Nevertheless, this is positive news. At 29, Lehkonen is a crucial player for the Avalanche, contributing significantly on both the power play and penalty kill, and being essential at even strength. His style of play, though prone to injuries, is highly effective.
You might also spot Logan O’Connor in some of the clips. He appears ready for camp, aligning with previous expectations.
Currently, the group at Family Sports is relatively small. Most players typically start arriving around Labor Day, so expect a larger turnout next week.
