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Colorado Avalanche superstar blueliner Cale Makar could be playing through a major injury, if a medical expert is correct.<\/p>\n
The idea of superstar blueliner Cale Makar<\/a> sustaining a major injury is enough to send Colorado<\/a> Avalanche fans reaching for a paper bag to breathe in.<\/p>\n But that\u2019s essentially what the reigning Norris Trophy winner could be going through, as one notable medical expert believes.<\/p>\n Makar took what seemed to be a very painful hit from Minnesota Wild forward Mats Zuccarello in Game 5 of the series against the Avalanche. Following the hit, Cale Makar grabbed his shoulder and headed down the tunnel.<\/p>\n He stayed in the game, logging over 25 minutes of ice time. But that didn\u2019t erase concerns about a major injury. As renowned medical expert Dr. Harjas Grewal noted, Makar could be playing through a separated shoulder.<\/p>\n Suspected a separated shoulder for Makar after a hit from Klapka March 30 (see below)<\/p>\n There isn\u2019t much on this play but just wonder if he\u2019s playing through that still and thus the clips of him looking injured https:\/\/t.co\/q1KZLSJqUV<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \u2014 Dr. Harjas Grewal (@Harjas_Grewal) May 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The purported injury originally occurred during a March 30 game<\/a> against the Calgary Flames. In that contest, towering Adam Klapka laid a thunderous hit on Makar. The Avalanche blueliner left the game and didn\u2019t play until April 14, Colorado\u2019s penultimate regular-season game.<\/p>\n Now, it doesn\u2019t seem like there\u2019s anything particularly wrong with Cale Makar. He\u2019s notched four goals and five points in nine playoff contests. There could be an argument that he hasn\u2019t quite been himself. Beyond registering three points in the Game 1 slugfest against the Wild, Makar did not register a point.<\/p>\n Perhaps that\u2019s just credit to how hard the Wild played against the Avalanche in the series. But there might be something to Grewal\u2019s assertions about Makar playing hurt.<\/p>\n Extra Time Off Should Help Cale Makar Recover<\/p>\n Interestingly, the Avalanche have had plenty of time off in between series this postseason. Colorado had about eight days off in between their first-round series against the LA Kings<\/a> and their second-round affair against the Wild.<\/p>\n Now, they\u2019ll have another week or so off after beating the Wild in five games. The Avalanche will face the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final<\/a> next Wednesday. As such, that extended time off could give Cale Makar further opportunity to recover.<\/p>\n Of course, a separated shoulder is nothing that heals in a week. But at least the extra time off is something that could help Colorado\u2019s top defenseman avoid additional wear and tear.<\/p>\n No Surprise Top Players Dealing with Injuries<\/p>\n It\u2019s no surprise that top players like Cale Makar play through injuries during the postseason. Unless it\u2019s something so bad that a player can\u2019t deal with it, they\u2019ll be in the lineup. Thoughts of Patrice Bergeron\u2019s collapsed lung or Aleksander Barkov\u2019s sliced hand come to mind.<\/p>\n For Makar, as painful as the separated shoulder may be, it\u2019s not bad enough to keep him out of the lineup. While Colorado has been lucky to avoid disastrous injuries, there could be some mild concern about how much longer Cale Makar could go.<\/p>\n It wouldn\u2019t be surprising to see the Golden Knights purposely target Makar from the get-go. That\u2019s why healing in between series will be crucial for the best blueliner in the NHL and former Conn Smythe Trophy winner.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tNestor Quixtan<\/a> Seasoned NHL and NFL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball, football, and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \t