Avalanche’s Oliver Kylington to return after missing 31 games due to lower-body injury

The Colorado Avalanche activated Oliver Kylington from the injured reserve Monday after the defenseman missed the last 31 games due to a lower-body injury.

Limited to eight games on the season, Kylington has collected one goal and one assist for two points with a minus-two rating. The 27-year-old Swedish-born blue-liner is skating in his first season with the Avalanche after agreeing to a one-year, $1.05-million deal with the club in unrestricted free agency.

Prior to joining the Avalanche, Kylington spent part of six seasons with the Calgary Flames, underscored by the 2021-22 campaign when he finished with a career-high 31 points counting nine goals and 22 assists coming 73 contests to finish third in team scoring among defensemen.

Missing the entire 2022-23 campaign due to personal matters, Kylington returned to the Flames midway through 2023-24 before wrapping up the season with three goals and five assists for eight points in 33 outings. At season’s end, Kylington was recognized as the Flames’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, presented annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Originally chosen 60th overall by Calgary in the 2015 NHL Draft, Kylington has seen 209 career contests with the Flames and Avalanche in which he has totaled 18 goals and 39 assists for 57 points. Kylington has also added three points through 12 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In a corresponding roster move Monday, the Avalanche added right winger Valeri Nichushkin to the long-term injured reserve, retroactive to December 31. Through 21 appearances this season, the 29-year-old Russian-born forward has collected 11 goals and six assists for 17 points.

On the season, the Avalanche sit 31-21-2 to hold down the second wildcard seed in the Western Conference. Riding a two-game win streak, the Avalanche will try for third consecutive victory when the club returns to the ice Tuesday to take on the Vancouver Canucks.