In the latest, jolting blow to the Avalanche, it was revealed today that left wing Ryan Smyth is expected to be out eight weeks with a fractured right ankle.
Head trainer Matt Sokolowski said an MRI revealed the fracture, but that a full recovery was expected.
Smyth missed some time last month with a neck injury. He now joins captain Joe Sakic on the long-term injured list. According to the team, Sakic is out possibly for another 11 weeks after hernia surgery last week.
Smyth, 31, signed a five-year, $31.25 million contract with Colorado in July. He suffered the ankle injury after a collision in overtime of Monday’s game at Phoenix.
The Avs have lost four games in a row, and now must go without their two highest-paid players for a majority of the rest of the season.
