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 suffered an upper-body injury against the Seattle Kraken on Nov. 7 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/artturi-lehkonen-taken-to-hospital-after-head-first-crash-into-boards-in-avs-4-3-loss-to-kraken] that has sidelined him for the last eight weeks. He rejoined the team on the ice in a red non-contact jersey in the last two weeks — until Friday. The team held an optional practice at Family Sports in Centennial the day after an overtime win to the Dallas Stars. While only a handful of players were out skating, Lehkonen was one of them in a white jersey. The 28-year-old just hit eight weeks into his 10- to 12-week recovery schedule. As his progression is on track, he should be ready to go by the end of the month — although it's most likely he won't play until after the NHL All-Star Break. "He's getting closer, he's improving," head coach Jared Bednar said after practice. "He's at a point now where he wants to start taking some contact and building back to getting into all the drills with his timing, getting used to playing 5-on-5 instead of just skating on his own and work his way back to a return." Lehkonen tallied eight points in 12 games prior to his injury. He was highly effective on the power play with four points in those dozen games. While the Avalanche are currently tied for most points in the league, Lehkonen's absence has been felt. The team suffered some inconsistency throughout November and December but has won six of their past seven finding a way to win in tough situations. "I think we believe in the team and as you get that, then in the games you think you can come back and still be in it. You never want to have that kind of give up mentality," Josh Manson said. "It's something we've talked about. Obviously we have a lot of belief in our top guys, they're star players and we think they can go out there and get it done and help us win games that we're behind in." Lehkonen is part of that top group of players but there is always that uncertainty when a player returns — how quickly they'll adjust, how soon they'll find their chemistry with the team, how fast they'll get back to their game. The Piikkio, Finland native should have no problem getting back in the game. He is coming off a career-high 51-point season despite missing 18 games due to injury in 2022-23. RELATED ARTICLES Artturi Lehkonen hits ice for light skating since head-first crash into boards [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/artturi-lehkonen-hits-ice-for-light-skating-since-head-first-crash-into-boards] Artturi Lehkonen taken to hospital after head-first crash into boards in Avs 4-3 loss to Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/news/artturi-lehkonen-taken-to-hospital-after-head-first-crash-into-boards-in-avs-4-3-loss-to-kraken]
