Avalanche Recall Alex Gagne Amid Cale Makar Injury Concerns

The Colorado Avalanche have added some defensive depth at a time when they could use it most.

Defenseman Alex Gagne has been recalled from the Colorado Eagles, the team announced, as the Avalanche navigate multiple injury concerns on the blue line ahead of their upcoming road trip. 

The Denver Gazette’s Evan Rawal was first to report the move.

Gagne’s recall comes with uncertainty surrounding Cale Makar, who exited Sunday’s practice early for precautionary reasons. All indications point toward a potential lower-body issue, although the team has yet to provide further clarity on his status.

Colorado is already without Josh Manson, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Noah Juulsen, signed this offseason to serve as the Avalanche’s seventh defenseman, has stepped into the lineup in Manson’s absence.

With Makar’s availability now another question mark, bringing in Gagne, who has yet to make his NHL debut, gives Colorado another option on the back end just in case. 

This isn’t the first time Gagne has been called upon to provide injury insurance during Colorado’s postseason run. He joined the Avalanche ahead of Game 1 of last season’s Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights under similar circumstances, with Makar dealing with an injury concern at the time.

The 23-year-old has continued to develop with the Eagles, appearing in 72 games this season and recording three goals and 12 assists. Two of those goals have come in just 14 games this season, adding another dimension to his game.

The 6-foot 5 Gagne spent four seasons at the University of New Hampshire, where he served as team captain during his final two campaigns. He finished his collegiate career with seven goals and 41 assists, including four goals during his senior season in 2024-25.

The Avalanche will hit the road for their next four games, beginning with their second mini Tour De Canada of the season. The trip starts Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by a Thursday matchup with the Ottawa Senators. Colorado will wrap up the Canadian leg Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens before closing out the road trip next Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth.