Avalanche Announce Roster Move After Nathan MacKinnon Injury

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Avalanche Announce Roster Move After Nathan MacKinnon Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 13, 2026 12:25 PM ET

The Colorado Avalanche made a roster move Friday, just hours after franchise player Nathan MacKinnon left Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators with a lower-body injury.

MacKinnon exited Thursday’s game during the second period after attempting a reverse hit on Senators defenseman Artem Zub. The forward remained on the bench briefly before heading to the locker room. Shortly after, the Avs ruled him out for the rest of the game.

On Friday morning, Colorado recalled winger Gavin Brindley from the AHL’s Colorado Eagles for Saturday’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens.

The move gives head coach Jared Bednar an additional forward option while the Avalanche waits for clarity on MacKinnon’s availability.

We have recalled Gavin Brindley from the Colorado Eagles. pic.twitter.com/cp4n1lnIb7
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 13, 2026

Brindley now joins the team as its only extra forward and could enter the lineup if MacKinnon cannot play.

The 22-year-old has been productive in the AHL this season, leading the Eagles with 16 points through 13 games.

Brindley has also appeared in five NHL games for Colorado this season, recording one assist. He has 14 points across 62 career NHL appearances.

After Thursday’s game, Bednar said that MacKinnon would travel with the rest of the Avalanche to Montreal, although the coach didn’t know whether the star center would be available Saturday.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his fiftieth goal of the season at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

If MacKinnon is unavailable, the Avalanche would likely have to reshuffle their center depth, without necessarily relying on Brindley.

Fellow centers Nazem Kadri (16 points in 20 games) and Nicolas Roy (six in 14) already appeared in different combinations after MacKinnon exited Thursday, and they could slide up the lines if necessary.

Colorado is also monitoring defenseman Cale Makar’s status after he also left Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury. Like MacKinnon, Makar traveled with the team to Montreal.

The Avalanche visit Montreal on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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