Cale Makar is good to go.

The Colorado Avalanche announced the rookie defenseman will return to the lineup against the Minnesota Wild on Friday after missing the club's previous eight games with an upper-body injury.

Makar suffered the ailment against the Boston Bruins on Dec. 7 after taking a heavy hit from forward Brad Marchand behind his net.

The 21-year-old blue-liner recorded eight goals and 28 points through 29 games before sustaining the injury and remains a leading candidate for the Calder Trophy.

Colorado weathered the storm in his absence, posting a 4-3-1 record. The Avalanche occupy the second spot in the Central Divison and enter Friday's action five points back of the first-place St. Louis Blues.

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