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Following the Colorado Avalanche’s horrific 7-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, we learned that young winger Vladislav Kamenev had to leave the game due to an apparent shoulder injury. In the post-game press conference, head coach Jared Bednar conveyed that he did not have an update on Kamenev’s injury.
Today, after Monday morning practice, the media learned that Kamenev will require shoulder surgery and is out of the lineup “indefinitely.” No one is giving any timetables just yet, but AJ Haefele did say it might be for the rest of the season (ends in a little less than four months).
Terrible Kamenev news. Hes going to have shoulder surgery and will be out "indefinitely" and potentially for the season.
— AJ Haefele (@AJHaefele) December 10, 2018
This is terrible news for Kamenev, who’s had the worst luck since coming to Denver in the Matt Duchene trade. He amassed only 20 games across the AHL and NHL last season, and only got to play in 25 before this potentially season-ending injury. And before you ask, no, he is not injury-prone. Hockey is a physical sport and the injury bug is not fair.
Shameless plug, this news came hours after I raved about Kamenev potentially having a big second half to the season for the Avs in the MHH Roundtable. I guess that means it’s all my fault?
me @ whoever hurt kamenev pic.twitter.com/gDz0ItAgj9
— jo loves nikita ☝️ (@jompherfoot) December 10, 2018
To make matters worse, center Alexander Kerfoot was sidelined from practice on Monday as well. Bednar noted that it was just precautionary and the team is taking a “wait and see” approach to Kerfoot’s health.
Mark Barberio remains out as he mends from an injury he suffered a little over a week ago. He was skating on his own before practice this morning in a no-contact jersey.
Gabriel Bourque has been a healthy scratch on the Avalanche, so he is available to fill in for one of his injured teammates while A.J. Greer has been called up from the AHL Colorado Eagles as another option.
Both Bourque and Greer are left shots, so the spot left by Kamenev shouldn’t be too much of a problem. It’ll be interesting to see who takes the 4C spot for Kerfoot if he is unable to play on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. Sheldon Dries would’ve been a logical option, but the AHL Eagles play a back-to-back in Tuscon against the Arizona Coyotes’ affiliate on Tuesday and Wednesday so perhaps he’s needed there.
Stay tuned for our preview of the Avs vs. Oilers game where hopefully more will be revealed following the morning skate.