Avalanche Give Update On Nathan MacKinnon

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar informed reporters that Nathan MacKinnon will not be able to play in the All-Star Game.

MacKinnon was injured after receiving a hit by Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall. He's since been diagnosed with a facial fracture and concussion. He was already ruled out for all of the Avalanche's games before the All-Star break, so this is something we could have seen coming. When looking at the kind of injuries the 26-year-old has, he truly should sit out and rest.

Still, it doesn't feel right to have an All-Star Game without MacKinnon. He is easily one of the best players in the entire world and is only proving that yet again this season. In 31 games so far, he has nine goals and 43 total points. It's been another campaign of dominance for him, and we sincerely hope he can return right after the break to build on it.

Before the All-Star Game, the Avalanche play the Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes. Although it's never good for a star to be out of the lineup, they at least have what should be easy competition coming up. Yet, if his injury extends until after the break, they also won't have him when they play the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 10th.

Alas, it's a shame MacKinnon won't be there to play. It will be intriguing to see who ends up replacing him on the roster from here.