Helm decided to bring an end to his playing career Wednesday, per Brennan Vogt of Full Press Hockey.
Helm is hanging up his skates after recording 119 goals and 286 points in 823 career NHL games with Detroit and Colorado. He's a two-time Stanley Cup winner, having participated in the Red Wings' 2008 championship run and the Avalanche's 2022 success. He had no points, 16 hits and three blocks in 11 contests with Colorado and missed considerable time due to injury last season.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Out of action Sunday
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Helm (undisclosed) will miss Game 7 versus Seattle on Sunday, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports.
Helm will miss his fifth straight game after playing 8:15 in Game 2. The center was unable to pick up a point in 11 regular-season games this season.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Remains out Friday
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Helm (undisclosed) is slated to miss Friday's contest against Seattle, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
Helm is set to miss his fourth straight game. He had no points, 10 shots, four PIM and 16 hits in 11 regular-season outings.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Unavailable Wednesday
Rotowire
Helm (undisclosed) isn't expected to return Wednesday versus Seattle, per Peter Baugh of The Athletic.
Helm has played in just one game past April 1 and has missed the last three Avalanche contests. When he's healthy enough to return, Helm will likely serve on the fourth line.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Unavailable Monday
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Helm (undisclosed) will not play Monday against the Kraken, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
Helm has now missed two straight games and 10 of the last 11. His next chance to suit up will be Game 5 on Wednesday.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Out Saturday
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Helm (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Game 3 against Seattle on Saturday, per Peter Baugh of The Athletic.
Helm logged 8:15 of ice time Thursday after missing eight straight games with a lower-body injury. It's not clear if he's being held out of the lineup due to a new issue or if his previous injury is still bothering him. Helm had no points, 10 shots, 16 hits and four blocks in 11 regular-season outings.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Good to return vs. Seattle
Rotowire
Helm (lower body) is set to return for Game 2 against the Kraken on Thursday, according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic.
Helm is drawing into the lineup for the first time since April 1. He had no points, four PIM, 16 hits and three blocks in 11 regular-season contests. Helm is projected to play on the fourth line with Matt Nieto and Logan O'Connor.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Questionable Thursday
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Helm (lower body) is questionable for Game 2 against Seattle on Thursday, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.
Helm hasn't played since April 1, but Avalanche coach Jared Bednar is hoping to get him back Thursday. The 36-year-old forward had no points, 10 shots, 16 hits and three blocks in 11 regular-season contests. If Helm is available for Game 2, then he'll likely serve on the fourth line.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Won't play in Game 1
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Helm (lower body) is not ready to return for Tuesday's Game 1 versus the Kraken, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
As expected, Helm will miss the start of the postseason. The 36-year-old was labeled as out indefinitely earlier in April, so until he resumes practicing, his return to game action shouldn't be considered imminent.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: In doubt for postseason
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Helm (lower body) may not be ready for the start of the playoffs, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports Wednesday.
Helm was previously labeled out indefinitely and will now for sure miss the final two regular-season contests, if not longer. Injuries have limited the 36-year-old center to just 11 games this year in which he tallied zero points, 10 shots and 16 hits while averaging a career-low 9:00 of ice time. Given his injury concerns this season, it wouldn't be a shock to see Helm call it a career at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Out of action indefinitely
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Helm (lower body) is out indefinitely, per NHL.com.
Helm has missed the last two games with the injury. He has missed most of the season with a multitude of injuries and has yet to pick up a point in 11 games of action this season.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Isn't available vs. San Jose
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Helm (lower body) won't play Thursday versus San Jose, per Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette.
Helm is set to miss his second consecutive contest. His current lower-body issue is separate from the one that kept him out of the lineup from Jan. 14-March 20. Injuries have limited Helm to just 11 appearances this season.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: May be monitored
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Helm did not play Tuesday due to a lower-body injury, Meghan Angley of DNVR.com reports.
This information makes it clearer as to why Helm did not play Tuesday against the Sharks. A separate report from Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reveals the Avalanche staff may monitor Helm down the stretch. Colorado, which clinched a playoff berth with a 4-3 overtime win Tuesday, appears to be preparing the forward for the postseason. Helm has been limited to 11 games due to a pair of lengthy injuries.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Sitting out Tuesday
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Helm (undisclosed) won't suit up for Tuesday's game versus the Sharks, Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey reports.
It's unclear what will prevent Helm from playing Tuesday. Ben Meyers will slot into a bottom-six role for this contest.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Returns to action
Rotowire
Helm had one shot on goal, one hit, one blocked shot and four penalty minutes over 6:24 of ice time in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins.
This was Helm's first game action since Jan. 14 and just sixth game played all season. He was in the penalty box for what turned out to be Pittsburgh's game-winning goal, but it was a call neither Helm nor head coach Jared Bednar agreed with, per Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now. Helm centered the fourth line, which has been his role since becoming a member of Colorado in the 2021-22 season.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Playing Wednesday
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Helm (lower body) will return to the lineup against the Penguins on Wednesday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.
Helm has appeared in just five games this season due to multiple long-term stints on injured reserve. In those limited outings, the veteran center registered three shots, 10 hits and one block while averaging 9:28 of ice time. While Helm figures to add some grit to the lineup, he figures to slot into a fourth-line role and shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of offensive upside.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Traveling with team
Rotowire
Helm (lower body) joined the Avs for their three-game road trip with coach Jared Bednar telling reporters Tuesday, "He is getting close and in a full contact jersey. He is on the road with us and getting him back in the lineup after he has played only 5 games this year would be huge," per Brennan Vogt of Full Press Hockey.
With Artturi Lehkonen (finger) facing a 4-6 week absence, the Avs could certainly use Helm to fill out their forward compliment. Still, even when healthy the 36-year-old Helm isn't going to offer more than mid-range fantasy value given his limited offensive upside and will likely have significant rust to shake off the first few times out.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Getting closer
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Helm (lower body) is getting closer to being available to return to the lineup, Avalanche play-by-play announcer Conor McGahey reports.
McGahey added Helm was spotted wearing a regular jersey during Colorado's morning skate Monday but won't play against Montreal. He has been limited to just five appearances this season. Once Helm is cleared to be activated from injured reserve, he is expected to occupy a bottom-six spot in the lineup.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: Going on road trip
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Helm (lower body) will accompany the Avalanche on their upcoming four-game road trip beginning Monday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.
Helm has been out since Jan. 12, a span of 23 games. He has yet to engage in a practice with contact and the hope is that he will be ready for the playoffs. Helm has played only five games this season, going pointless.
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Avalanche's Darren Helm: May return this year
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Coach Jared Bednar is "cautiously optimistic" that Helm (lower body) will return this year, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.
This news suggests Helm may not only be in danger of missing the rest of the regular season but the playoffs as well. The 36-year-old vet has been limited to just five games this campaign due to injury, going scoreless over that span.
