from Ryan Boulding of ColoradoAvalanche.com,

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov left Monday's practice after colliding with forward Mikko Rantanen during one of the on-ice exercises and is out for the remainder of the regular season with a fractured ankle, the team announced.

The incident occurred when Zadorov became entwined with Rantanen during a drill.

"He got tangled up with Mikko," head coach Jared Bednar said after practice. "He actually fell on top of Mikko, but his leg got trapped underneath Mikko and he fell awkwardly."

While Zadorov's status is a tough blow for the club, the Avalanche appears closer to getting two other players back in the mix.

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