Kiviranta (lower body) didn't accompany the Avalanche on the team's three-game road trip, which begins against Carolina on Saturday, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports.
Kiviranta also didn't play in Wednesday's 6-1 win over St. Louis, and he doesn't have a timeline for his return to the lineup. However, head coach Jared Bednar hopes that the 29-year-old forward can return after the trip, which ends against Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Kiviranta has chipped in one goal, three assists, 13 shots on net and 30 hits across 21 appearances this season.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Traveling with team
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) will join the Avalanche on their upcoming road trip, which begins Saturday in Carolina, per Corey Masisak of The Denver Post.
Kiviranta missed Wednesday's 6-1 win over St. Louis. He has a goal and four points in 21 outings in 2025-26. Kiviranta will likely be part of the fourth line if he's available Saturday.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Out of lineup Wednesday
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) won't play Wednesday versus the Blues, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Kiviranta was not previously reported to have an injury, and his 8:41 of ice time versus the Kings on Monday was not out of the ordinary. Zakhar Bardakov figures to take Kiviranta's place on the fourth line for at least one game.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Playing Saturday
Rotowire
Kiviranta (eye) will play Saturday versus the Predators, Meghan Angley of Guerilla Sports reports.
Kiviranta left Thursday's game against Florida after the opening period due to the injury. He has one goal and one assist with 21 hits in 14 games this season. He should see fourth-line duty as he is averaging 9:51 of ice time this season.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Questionable for Saturday
Rotowire
Kiviranta's upper-body issue is related to his eye. He's questionable for Saturday's game against Nashville, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports Friday.
Kiviranta left Thursday's 6-2 win over Florida due to the injury. If he can't play Saturday, then Zakhar Bardakov will probably serve on the fourth line.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Sustains upper-body injury
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Kiviranta (upper body) will be evaluated Friday after leaving Thursday's game versus the Panthers following the first period, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Kiviranta's injury doesn't appear to be overly concerning at this time, so he can be labeled day-to-day until a firmer timeline is available. If he misses time, Zakhar Bardakov will likely fill in as a fourth-line option.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Scores in return
Rotowire
Kiviranta scored a goal on three shots, added two PIM and logged two hits in Wednesday's 6-0 win over the Sharks.
Kiviranta saw 13:19 of ice time in his return from a 17-game absence due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old winger's return bolsters the Avalanche's forward depth, though he's unlikely to see enough ice time in scoring situations to make a big impact in fantasy. The goal was his first point in six outings this season to go with six shots on net, 11 hits and a plus-2 rating.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Ready to roll
Rotowire
Head coach Jared Bednar noted Tuesday that Kiviranta (lower body) is good to go, per Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now.
Kiviranta is poised to return to the lineup at home Wednesday versus the Sharks after being sidelined for 17 consecutive games. The Finnish winger will slot into a bottom-six role and could see time on the penalty kill. Colorado's depth up front will get stronger with the return of Kiviranta, but he hasn't recorded a point over five appearances this season.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Skating Wednesday
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) took the ice in a non-contact jersey Wednesday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Kiviranta was ruled out indefinitely back in mid-October and is just getting back on the ice for the first time. As such, fantasy managers probably shouldn't be expecting him back in the short term, but at least he appears to be trending in the right direction. In five games before getting hurt, the Finn failed to register a point while recording three shots, nine hits and two blocks.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Out indefinitely
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) is out indefinitely, the team announced Saturday.
According to the NHL media site, Colorado moved Kiviranta to injured reserve Saturday. He hasn't earned a point in five appearances this season while posting three shots on goal, two blocked shots and nine hits. Kiviranta will probably be replaced in Saturday's lineup against Boston by Zakhar Bardakov.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Good to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) is set to draw back into the lineup Wednesday versus Chicago, according to Conor McGahey of Altitude TV.
Kiviranta last played March 25. He has 16 goals and 23 points in 72 appearances with the Avalanche in 2024-25. His return might result in Jimmy Vesey being a healthy scratch.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Available to play
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) will be an option for Wednesday's game against Chicago, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Kiviranta might return to action after missing the last three games due to injury. He has produced 16 goals, 23 points, 77 shots on net and 103 hits in 72 appearances this season. If Kiviranta draws back into the lineup, Parker Kelly or Logan O'Connor could be a healthy scratch versus the Blackhawks.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Won't return against Calgary
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) won't play in Monday's game against the Flames, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Kiviranta continues to deal with a lower-body injury, and he'll be sidelined for a third consecutive game Monday. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return, but his next chance to suit up will be Wednesday in Chicago.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Remains out Saturday
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) isn't available Saturday versus St. Louis, per Ryan Boulding of NHL.com.
Kiviranta is set to miss his second straight game. He has 16 goals, 23 points, 103 hits and 34 blocks in 72 outings with the Avalanche in 2024-25. Kiviranta's next opportunity to return will come Monday versus Calgary.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
Kiviranta (lower body) won't be in the lineup against the Kings on Thursday, according to Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.
Kiviranta will miss at least one game, and his next chance to play will come versus St. Louis on Saturday. He has 16 goals, 23 points, 77 shots on net and 103 hits in 72 appearances this season. Miles Wood will replace Kiviranta in Thursday's lineup.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Four-game goal streak
Rotowire
Kiviranta scored a goal in Tuesday's 2-1 shootout loss to Minnesota.
His goal came at the 14:20 mark of the third period when he tipped in a lofted backhand shot from Samuel Girard in the high slot. Kiviranta isn't really known for his offense, but he's on a four-game, four-goal streak, which brings him up to 15 goals (six assists) in 66 appearances this season. This run is lightning in the proverbial bottle for Kiviranta, but you can't ignore the heat. He may help you in the next couple of games if you're streaming.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Goal in each of last two games
Rotowire
Kiviranta scored a goal in a 7-4 victory over the Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Kiviranta drove the net at top speed late in the second, and Ross Colton's centering pass went off his skate and between Anthony Stolarz's pads. He has a goal in each of his last two games, but he had just one in the 26 outings before that. It's a nice run for Kiviranta, but that doesn't mean he's fantasy worthy.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Manages assist in loss
Rotowire
Kiviranta notched an assist, two hits and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Oilers.
Kiviranta has three helpers over 10 games since the holiday break. The 28-year-old had five goals across three contests leading into the break, and that uptick in production has earned him a larger role in the Avalanche's middle six as the team deals with some injuries at forward. Kiviranta is at 15 points, 54 shots on net, 73 hits and a plus-5 rating through 46 games this season. As long as he's on the second line, he's worth consideration in fantasy formats that reward his physical play.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Adds helper Thursday
Rotowire
Kiviranta notched an assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 6-1 win over the Wild.
Kiviranta picked up his first point over five outings in January when he set up Parker Kelly's third-period tally. Expectations are higher for Kiviranta after his six-goal, eight-point December (13 contests). The 28-year-old has a total of 14 points, 54 shots on net, 67 hits and a plus-8 rating over 43 games this season, playing on the third pairing without a spot on the power play.
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Avalanche's Joel Kiviranta: Helps out on empty-netter
Rotowire
Kiviranta logged an assist and four hits in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Jets.
Kiviranta earned his first assist since Dec. 8 versus the Devils. While he hasn't been playmaking lately, he has five goals over the last five games. The 28-year-old winger is up to 10 goals, three assists, 49 shots on net, 60 hits and a plus-8 rating through 38 appearances. He has primarily served in a third-line role this season, and while he's already earned a career year, his offense is likely to be limited.
