DOVE VALLEY — As The Hockey News reported on Sunday, Joel Kiviranta appeared to be progressing well from his lower-body injury. Well, that’s because he has.
Coach Jared Bednar confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that Kiviranta is ready to go and will return to action Wednesday night when the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche take on the San Jose Sharks at Ball Arena.
I reckon Kivi should be good to go by the next home stand.#goavsgo#avs@TheHockeyNewspic.twitter.com/3h8zYjZ7AF
— Ryan O'Hara (@OHaraSports) November 23, 2025
One of the Avalanche’s three remaining injured forwards was on the ice at Tuesday’s practice. Valeri Nichushkin skated ahead of the group in a red non-contact sweater, working through skill drills before staying out for the start of the session. He looked sharper than he has in recent appearances, though there were still moments where he appeared hesitant to put full weight on his lower body. However, Bednar said he is progressing.
Gavin Brindley
As The Hockey News noted on Sunday, Gavin Brindley joined the injured-skate session alongside Kiviranta but did not participate. Wearing tennis shoes, he stepped onto the ice briefly to work through light stickhandling and a few casual shots, offering encouragement to Kiviranta before heading back to the locker room. It was a welcome show of support from the rookie, but Brindley remains far from a return to game action.
“Still ways away. No update,” Bednar said when asked about Brindley.
The 21-year-old has recorded four goals and three assists in 18 games for the Avalanche this season. He suffered his lower-body injury in the first period of Colorado’s 6-3 win over the New York Rangers on November 20.
The 21-year-old has posted four goals and three assists through 18 games for the Avalanche this season. He sustained the lower-body injury in the first period of Colorado’s 6–3 win over the New York Rangers on November 20.
Logan O’Connor underwent a second hip surgery in the offseason and was on track for an early November return, but recently suffered a setback and has not been on the ice lately. Like Brindley, O’Connor won’t be back for some period of time.
Sharks vs. Avalanche
With Kiviranta returning, the Avalanche will require only one call-up for Wednesday’s game. Tristen Nielsen and Jason Polin both dressed over the weekend, so that could potentially mean another start for Taylor Makar, who has already made three NHL starts this season, but has played well.
Kiviranta is expected to slot into one of the wing positions on the fourth line alongside rookie center Zakhar Bardakov. Meanwhile, Parker Kelly has been elevated to the third line with center Jack Drury and winger Victor Olofsson. This move was made to fill Landeskog’s spot as he was forced to move to the second line to fill in for Brindley, who was initially elevated from the fourth line to the second to replace Nichushkin. With both men hurt, it’s been the hockey edition of musical chairs.
The Avalanche (16-1-5) take on the Sharks (11-9-3) Wednesday night at Ball Arena. Coverage kicks off at 7 p.m. local time.
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