Avalanche’s Jonathan Drouin is out with a lingering injury

CHICAGO – Jonathan Drouin’s frustrating season has reached a new stage.

Drouin will miss the Colorado Avalanche’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at the United Center. It will be the 33rd game he has missed this season.

Avs coach Jared Bednar said the team will play the Blackhawks with 11 forwards and seven defensemen and he hopes Drouin can return Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild.

“It’s not an injury that needs to be treated,” Avs coach Jared Bednar told reporters after Drouin missed practice in Denver on Tuesday. “When he’s good, he’s good. We will push through to get through as best we can. If he can play, he can play. If he can’t do it, he can’t do it. There is no risk of his injury getting worse.”

Drouin has been dealing with an upper-body injury since leaving the Colorado Avalanche’s opening game in Las Vegas. Drouin has returned twice and played well in both stints.