Injury Bug Continues to Bite Colorado Avalanche

It's that time of year again.

For the third season in a row, the Avalanche find themselves struggling to fill a roster heading into February.

Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny, Brett Clark, and Ryan Smyth were lost simultaneously to injury in 2008, while in 2009 Colorado players Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny, Adam Foote, David Jones, and Kyle Cumiskey all had season ending injuries.

The medical staff can't be blamed for Joe Sakic sticking his hand in a snow blower, but at what point does management decide to change things up?

Unlike last season when the team completely fell apart, this years Avalanche has seen numerous young players, such as Ryan Wilson and Brandon Yip, step up and the team hasn't missed a beat.

But now even the rookies are dropping like flies.

Ryan Wilson has been placed on the injured reserve for a concussion sustained from a hit from behind by Oilers forward Jean-Francois Jacques during the Avalanche's 6-0 blowout of the Oil on Jan. 18.

Unfortunately for Wilson, the NHL didn't give Jacques a very warranted suspension, likely because Wilson has established himself as a big hitter and recently gave Devils forward Patrick Elias a concussion.

However, Wilson has yet to receive even a minor penalty for any of his hits.

Also placed on the injured reserve was Avalanche rookie Matt Hendricks, who has an ankle injury.

Today, Colorado responded to these injuries by calling up forward Ryan Stoa and defender Brett Skinner from Lake Erie of the AHL.

Ryan Stoa will be in the line-up tonight against Nashville, and long term injuries to David Jones and Milan Hejduk will allow him an opportunity to stick with the Avalanche during his second call-up.

Avalanche Injuries

The Avalanche have lost 190 man-games to injury this season, third most in the NHL.

15 Matt Hendricks - Injured reserve, ankle.

23 Milan Hejduk - Injured reserve, knee. Missed last two games.

24 Ruslan Salei -Injured reserve, back. Missed last 45 games.

40 Marek Svatos -Injured reserve, chest. Missed last game.

44 Ryan Wilson - Injured reserve, head.

52 Adam Foote -Injured reserve, ankle. Missed last four games.

54 David Jones - Injured reserve, knee. Missed last 22 games.