The Colorado Avalanche had a rough ending when Vegas swept them out of the Western Conference Finals. The Colorado Avalanche experienced a rough ending when Vegas swept them out of the Western Conference Finals. Many had chosen Colorado to win the cup during the season, but their bodies failed them. One player that we know for sure played through some injuries is Cale Makar. It might paint a bleak offseason picture for him.

When did the injuries happen?

Makar was injured during Game One against the Minnesota Wild in following this hit from Marcus Foligno.

After this hit, he was not the same. His power on his shot was not there. The defenseman avoided giving and receiving hits after that as well. He was in some obvious pain as he tried to shoot, but the puck just rolled off his stick instead.

In Game Five against the Wild, Makar was hit once again. It seemed like an innocent hit in their own zone, but he left the ice clutching his arm.

There had been rumors that Makar has been playing with a separated shoulder since the middle of March. But his ice time during games at the time did not seem to support that theory.

Who is saying he will have surgery?

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman believes that Makar missing Game One and Two against Vegas puts him into question.

“I’ve heard his injury is pretty significant,” Friedman has said on The FAN Hockey Show. “And I know some people have been wondering, will he be ready for the start of next year? I guess we’ll find all that out, but I just don’t think that that’s the reason here. I think it’s more of an excuse than anything else.”

Timeline

If Makar were to be scheduled for surgery at the start of next month, he could look at a four–to-six-month recovery time. He could start doing some range of motion exercises as early as six weeks. But either way, Makar is looking at missing a minimum of a month of the season, if not two months. The Avalanche will really have to learn to play without him now.