When injuries hit, opportunities are presented to players that are looking for more responsibility and prospects that are wanting a chance to crack the lineup.
Colorado saw some of its players seize their opportunities in the 2019-20 season and 2020 playoffs when the team also went through several stints with long injury lists.
"I think we are playing hard, and we're getting some bad luck. There are positives that come out of it," said Bednar. "I think last year we learned fighting through adversity and injuries that other guys elevated their game and were able to help us win hockey games, and it made us fight for every point that we had. It gives guys experience in different situations; we're seeing our whole taxi squad is up playing at this point, and it's good experience.
"Would I like to have our guys healthy and be playing our full lineup? Absolutely. But that's not something that I can control as a coach or that we can control sometimes as even players, things happen. We are just going to have to fight through it and move on. No one is going to feel sorry for us or any other team that runs into injury troubles or COVID-related absences. It is what it is."
Bednar did not have any timelines for when guys could start returning to the lineup, but he did have some updates.
"I know this, Toews stayed back [in Denver] for further evaluation," Bednar said. "I think we will get some information on him tomorrow, but that still might not tell me when he's back in, it's when he's feeling good or when he's able to come back in. For me, no news is probably good news on that front. E.J. just went out, so I don't think he is going to be rushed back into the lineup here. He is going to miss some time.
"I heard Bellemare is feeling pretty good. He's encouraged by his progress over the last few days, but I am not expecting him back for the next couple games against Minny that's for sure, like it's days or weeks. Frankie, same thing. I think we will get more information on Frankie here early this week, Monday, Tuesday. He is a lot like Toews--we'll get a better idea of when we are going to be able to get him back on the ice and get him playing."