Colorado Avalanche Lose David Jones for 4-6 Months with Torn ACL

When things are going bad, they're going bad.

Following Colorado's 3-2 shootout loss to Minnesota (yet another game where they blew a 3rd period lead), the Avalanche learned they would be without forward David Jones for practically the rest of the year due to a torn ACL. 

Late in the third period, Jones was skating with the puck when Wild forward Chuck Kobasew was pushed into him; Jones lost and edge, and one of his legs became awkwardly trapped underneath him.

This loss is astronomically bad for the Avalanche.

Jones had been the complete package for Colorado this season, doing a little bit of everything. He was playing 20 minutes a night on the top line, is second on the team in goals (10), has been one of the Avalanche's leading hitters, and also one of the best defensive forwards (adding two short handed goals).

If at any point the outlook of the Avalanche's season looked bleak, this is it. Unfortunately, the outlook on Jones's career looks even bleaker.

This is now the second season in a row Jones's season will end early. Last year, he played in only 40 games before a shoulder injury ended his season. This year he was only able to play in 23 games (partially due to a bruised chest that sidelined him the first four games of the season).

Jones is known for his speed, so if he somehow manages a comeback this season, it's likely he won't be as effective of a player.

When next offseason comes around, will Avalanche management remember the generic named forward? Or will they go out and sign a player with the money they would be using to extend Jones when his contract expires?

As much as I'd like to say tonight's fluky injury could have happened to anyone, it didn't just happen to anyone. You need your top players to play every night, and Jones hasn't been able to deliver yet again.