Avalanche-Oilers Morning Skate Notebook: Lots of health updates and a lineup change surprise

EDMONTON, Alberta – Hello from Rogers Place, where the Avalanche continue the road trip tonight against the Edmonton Oilers.

By the way, the Great One says hi up above there.

So, lots of lineup/health info here:

• Pierre-Edouard Bellemare practiced in a regular jersey this morning, which is obviously great news. But he’ll be a game-time decision whether he plays or not.
• Kevin Connauton will make his Avalanche career debut. He will replace Mark Barberio in the lineup, Jared Bednar said.
• Pavel Francouz is in the concussion protocol. But there’s good news: Bednar said Francouz is feeling good overall and might be back as an active player in a day or two.
• Nikita Zadorov will join the team in Vancouver and is likely to play in the game Saturday night, Bednar said.
• Mikko Rantanen continues to skate. He will not play on this road trip, but we’re starting to get closer to him getting that pumpkin jersey off, hopefully, and maybe in a couple weeks he’ll be back.
• Nothing new on Landeskog.
• Nazem Kadri is fine, in the lineup tonight.

Adam Werner back in net tonight, as Philipp Grubauer just isn’t ready to return yet. Grubauer practiced this morning, but Werner is the guy.

Here is some video of the kid talking about that unbelievable debut from the other night in Winnipeg:

Here’s some Nathan MacKinnon from the room this morning too:

MacK vs. McDavid tonight. Should be a good one. See you tonight.