Avalanche's Lehkonen to make season debut Tuesday

Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen will play in a game for the first time this season Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken, head coach Jared Bednar announced Monday, according to NHL.com's Ryan Boulding.

The Avalanche activated Lehkonen off injured reserve Sunday. The 29-year-old has been recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Lehkonen has been a key contributor in the Avalanche's top six when healthy, amassing 43 goals and 94 points in 125 regular-season games. Colorado acquired him from the Montreal Canadiens at the 2022 trade deadline.

He's been similarly productive in the playoffs. He scored eight goals - including four game-winners - and 14 points in 20 games to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup two years ago.

Despite being hampered by a neck injury for almost half of the 2023-24 campaign, Lehkonen still racked up 34 points in 45 outings before adding 11 points in 11 playoff games during Colorado's run to the second round.

The Avalanche entered Monday sitting seventh in the Central Division with a 5-7-0 record. Though goaltending has been a glaring problem for Colorado, the club has also been dealt more than its fair share of major absences, particularly up front.

On top of Lehkonen, Valeri Nichushkin also hasn't played a game this season - though Bednar said Monday the forward will suit up when first eligible on Nov. 15 after returning to practice to begin the week.

Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog remains out. Jonathan Drouin, meanwhile, has been unavailable since the first game of the campaign, and Ross Colton was given a six-to-eight-week recovery timeline for his broken foot on Wednesday.

The Avalanche came into Monday ranked 12th in goals per game (3.33) and dead last in goals against per contest (4.25).

Colorado hosts Seattle at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday.