Bad luck continues to plague Jonathan Drouin.
After missing a month of activity since the start of the season, the Colorado Avalanche forward will have to miss a few weeks due to another upper body injury.
Head coach Jared Bednar made the announcement Wednesday. Drouin had already withdrawn from Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Aged 29, Drouin previously injured his upper body on October 9 during the Avalanche’s first game of the season.
He returned to the game on November 15 and has collected four points in as many games since his return to the lineup. In his last outing, Drouin even scored two goals in 23:37 on the ice.
The former Lightning and Montreal Canadiens player is playing his second season in Denver. He had the best campaign of his career last year with 56 points in 79 games.
Matthews not ready to return yet
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will ultimately not be able to return to play Wednesday against the Florida Panthers.
On Tuesday, the Leafs forward participated in his first full practice since an upper-body injury kept him sidelined. Matthews hasn’t played a game since Nov. 3.
Matthews is reportedly targeting a return to action on Saturday against the Lightning.
The 26-year-old star player missed the team’s last eight games while nursing the injury. He even traveled to Germany to receive further treatment.
He has scored five goals and 11 points in 13 games this season.
Return to play for Thompson
Buffalo Sabers star forward Tage Thompson will return to action Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild.
Thompson was injured during the November 11 game against the Canadiens. He then scored a goal in the first period, but left after 6:49 of use.
The 6-foot-6 center was on a hot streak when he was injured. He had scored a goal in four consecutive games and will try to continue his streak on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old American has 18 points, including 11 goals, in 16 games this season.
Soon a first match this season for Vlasic
Marc-Édouard Vlasic will accompany the San Jose Sharks on their six-game trip which begins Saturday in Seattle against the Kraken.
“He’s getting closer and closer,” head coach Ryan Warsofsky said Monday before a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. He will likely be ready to play at some point during this trip. »
The Quebec defender did not play this season and joined the team on November 18. The 37-year-old had 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 57 games for the Sharks last season.
“He just needs to practice,” Warsofsky said. Obviously he missed training camp and I think he had two practices with us. He needs more training time. »
In 1,296 NHL games, all with the Sharks, the 37-year-old rearguard has amassed 83 goals and 376 points.
