Avalanche forward J.T. Compher out one month with upper-body injury

The Colorado Avalanche improved to 6-5-1 on the season via Saturday's 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks but lost a key contributor in the process. 

Per the NHL's website, Colorado coach Jared Bednar told reporters Monday that forward J.T. Compher is expected to miss roughly one month of action because of an unspecified upper-body injury he suffered on Saturday. As Mike Chambers explained for The Denver Post, the news comes as Colorado added forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers. 

According to ESPN stats, Compher is tied for the Avalanche lead with five goals, and he's fourth among Colorado players with nine points. Chambers notes that Logan O’Connor will likely replace Compher on the top line. 

O’Connor has three goals and three assists this season. 

It was learned last week that Avalanche star center Nathan MacKinnon is set to miss approximately three weeks with a lower-body injury. Per Peter Baugh of The Athletic, Colorado defenseman Bowen Byram is currently in the concussion protocol: