Avalanche’s Joel Kiviranta out indefinitely with lower-body injury

The team didn’t disclose exactly what’s ailing the Finnish winger, nor are there any reports on when he was hurt. He joins a list of players on Colorado’s injured list, which includes defenseman Samuel Girard and forward Logan O’Connor, who could remain out of action for another two months while recovering from hip surgery.

Kiviranta had been in the lineup in each of the Avs’ first five games of the 2025-26 season. Playing on the fourth line alongside Parker Kelly and Gavin Brindley, Kiviranta has yet to register a point so far this season. He has a plus/minus of +1 while averaging 10:47 of ice time.

The 29-year-old is in the midst of his third season with the Avalanche. He first signed with the team in November 2023, and quickly became a regular in the team’s lineup. Last season, Kiviranta had the best performance of his NHL career. In 79 games, he posted career-bests in goals (16), assists (7) and points (23). It was the first time he hit double-digits in goals and scored 20 points in his NHL career.

In 303 NHL regular-season games, Kiviranta has scored 35 goals and 25 assists for 60 points, with another 14 points in 51 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Kiviranta has been on a series of one-year contracts with the Avalanche. This year is no different. In August, he agreed to a deal for the 2025-26 season with a cap hit of $1.25 million, a solid pay raise after getting minimum wage over his first two seasons in Denver.

The Avalanche (4-0-1) are set to host the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.