If it had happened in the regular season, it would have been devastating news:
Nikita Zadorov, who had a good season for the Avalanche, especially in the second half and into the playoffs, will need four months of recovery time after having surgery on a shoulder, BSN Denver has learned.
If that timetable doesn’t change, Zadorov should be ready to go to start Avalanche training camp in September. But, it could be a close call.
Usually, recovery times that long for shoulder injuries mean he suffered a dislocation and not a separated shoulder, although it is not known exactly what type of injury Zadorov had.
When Zadorov suffered the injury remains unknown as well, although there were a couple of times in the playoffs against Nashville where he came off the ice looking in pain. He played every game in the six-game series, however, and is known for a high pain tolerance.
Zadorov, who established career highs in goals (seven), points (20) and plus-minus (+4) in 2017-18, probably would have played for Russia at the upcoming World Championships had it not been for the surgery.
0 Comments (6 conversations)
zekeballinger88
Big Z played with a lot of heart. We def won that trade. Is it September yet ??
sokolonr
There was one hit in particular down the stretch by Martinson that sent Z awkwardly into the boards, I bet that was it. Great season from Z I hope we can lock him up long-term
Chris DeMott
Wow, what a beast! He had 9 hits in the last game. Any word on what Rant’s issue was?
Adrian Dater
AuthorStill no word on what Rants had. Don’t think it was anything serious, whatever it was.
MaxPrime867
couldn’t’ve be that serious – the kids playing with Finland in the WHC
AvsFinn
Yep and these Finnish kids are not playing in the worlds anymore if they have the slightest reason not to. This new generation wants to spend their summers on their personal work out calendar. It’s been a semi scandal in Finland with so many saying no to the national team.
So hats off for Rants for joining the team but I don’t think he was playing with any kind of injury in the playoffs. Think it was just the lack of experience on a young kid that he didn’t reach his best during those games.
Dan G
Reports are that he suffered from malaise. (upper body)
AvsFinn
Which reports are you reffering to?
What a stud Big Z is. He left a game twice in March with an apparent injury but came back from the locker room to play both the 2nd and 3rd period to help the Avs win the game. I can’t remember the game but it was apparent he was playing with an injury so perhaps for the last 6 weeks of the season, he played in pain…and still was a monster on the ice.
Eve
Pretty impressed with Z playing the way he did however Mikko didn’t really show up in the playoffs. Everyone kept thinking he had an injury. I hope Mikko can gain some strength. He needs to be stronger in the corners and along the boards.
bjjones05
Big Z was impressive this season. You could tell at times that he was in pain, but he played through it. Hopefully, with an upper body injury like that, he can still work on his conditioning during the off-season. We definitely have a player with huge upside in him.