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Avs forward Steve Downie underwent shoulder surgery

Steve Downie

Colorado Avalanche right wing Steve Downie (27) dives for the puck against the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 20, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

AP

The Colorado Avalanche fell a little bit short of a playoff berth for the second straight season, but they made some nice tweaks to their lineup when they traded for Jamie McGinn and Steve Downie. Downie’s effectiveness was limited by what many believed were shoulder issues late in the season, however, and the Denver Post’s Adrian Dater reports that he underwent surgery for the issue.

Dater reports that Downie injured his shoulder during a March 3 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Here are some extra details regarding the procedure from Dater.

The Avs confirmed that Downie underwent shoulder surgery to repair a separation in the joint, but that he his doing well in his rehab. The exact timetable of his rehab remains unclear, but it’s expected he would be ready to return by the start of training camp.

Downie is one of many upcoming free agents for Colorado, so it’s no guarantee that he’ll be in Avalanche training camp once he recovers. Here’s a list of the Avs’ free agents, via CapGeek.

Restricted

Downie
McGinn
Matt Duchene
Erik Johnson
Peter Mueller
Ryan O’Reilly
Kevin Porter
Mark Olver
Ryan Wilson

Unrestricted

Milan Hejduk
David Jones
Jay McClement
Cody McLeod
Matt Hunwick
Shane O’Brien

In other words, Downie’s shoulder might not be the only thing that feels a little different in Colorado next season. Who would you keep from that group?