Avalanche’s Ross Colton out 6-8 weeks with broken foot

There’s more bad news for the Colorado Avalanche.

Leading goal-scorer Ross Colton is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a broken foot, coach Jared Bednar told reporters on Wednesday.

Colton was injured Monday in the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks when he blocked a Seth Jones shot off his right foot and appeared to be in significant pain. He later left the arena in a walking boot.

Colton, 28, has been a pleasant surprise amidst a slumping Avalanche squad (5-5-0), scoring eight goals and nine points in 10 games.

The centre won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021 after scoring the clinching goal in Game 5. He was traded to the Avalanche ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft in exchange for a second-round pick.

In 80 games last season for the Avalanche, Colton had 17 goals and 40 points.

Meanwhile, winger Miles Wood will be out seven to 10 days with an upper-body injury, Bednar said.