Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen is eight weeks into his 10- to 12-week return timeline and head coach Jared Bednar said he's progressing well. Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen hasn't played since Nov. 9 after he crashed head-first into the boards and suffered an upper-body injury. His return is imminent and possibly in one of the last games of the upcoming five-game road trip. "I would say there's a chance — towards the end of it, but too early to tell," head coach Jared Bednar said. The 28-year-old forward started skating in early December [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/artturi-lehkonen-hits-ice-for-light-skating-since-head-first-crash-into-boards] and has progressed at a quicker pace than his projected 10- to 12-week recovery period. If he plays in the last game of the trip on Jan. 20 it'll be around the 10-week mark of his timeline. Lehkonen tallied eight points in 12 games and is likely to slot in on the second line with Valeri Nichushkin and Ryan Johansen. He played on that line prior to his injury. Bednar said he would likely keep Jonathan Drouin on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen and power up his second line with Lehkonen. Who takes the faceoff at center, would be determined by the location. "There will be some O-zone draws, some D-zone draws when that line is up — it could be Colton's (Ross Colton) line — Val (Nichushkin) and OC (Logan O'Connor)," Bednar said. "And if the draw's on the right side of it, put in Johansen. So he'll play some shifts with those guys." Lehkonen should have no problem getting right back in it even though he's been out for more than two months. He has been with the Avs since March 21, 2022 and knows the team's structure and systems. RECENT AVALANCHE STORIES Avalanche captain one step closer to return [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/avalanche-captain-one-step-closer-to-return] Avalanche goalie stages 'perfect game' in 3-0 shutout win vs Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/featured/avalanche-goalie-stages-perfect-game-in-3-0-shutout-win-vs-golden-knights] 'We were connected,' Avs consistency important part of winning mentality [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/we-were-connected-avs-consistency-important-part-of-winning-mentality] Avs captain brings 'good energy' to team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/featured/avs-captain-brings-good-energy-to-team]
