Avalanche forward Evan Rodrigues enters concussion protocol

Bennett Durando of the Denver Post relays from head coach Jared Bednar that forward Evan Rodrigues has entered into concussion protocol. 

The injury came after receiving a hard hit from Chicago Blackhawks’ defenseman Connor Murphy in Monday night’s game.

Continuing on with their theme of the year, the defending Stanley Cup champions will lose another player to injury. Being without captain Gabriel Landeskog all season, the Colorado Avalanche also lost forward Artturi Lehkonen last week to a broken thumb. 

Seemingly unable to employ a healthy roster all season, the Avalanche will once again need to look to their depth to fill the gaps.

In his first season in Colorado, Rodrigues has fit very well into the team’s style of play. With his ability to play anywhere on offense, the forward has scored 14 goals and 19 assists so far this year with the Avalanche. 

Rodrigues has also seen a considerable amount of ice time on the team’s power play and is producing above-average possession numbers as well, earning a Corsi For % of 57.4.

Tied with the Minnesota Wild in points, the Avalanche sit only one point back of the division-leading Dallas Stars. 

With one game in hand on each team, the Avalanche looked poised to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs, but might ultimately be without some of their better offensive contributors this year.