Mikko Rantanen not quite ready yet, but weekend return looks certain

Apologies, but I couldn’t make practice today. The weather was the major factor, as I live a good 40-minute drive from the Avs’ practice facility even in the best of conditions. Today’s veritable blizzard would have made it a two-hour drive I’m guessing, each way. Plus, I had some parental duties, with my son off all week.

So, the updates here come 100-percent from the erstwhile Avalanche media relations staff.

The news: Mikko Rantanen practiced with a regular jersey, meaning he could take contact. But, Rantanen won’t play tomorrow against Edmonton. He needs a little more time, he told the Avs’ PR. Could it be Friday in Chicago? Or, Saturday at home against Chicago?

We probably won’t know that until Thursday at the earliest.

Another piece of news: Gabe Landeskog was back on skates today. He only did some light skating and shot some pucks before practice, but the fact that he was on skates is obviously great news. Jared Bednar did not speak with the media today, so there was no further update from the coach about Landy or anyone else.

Erik Johnson, per the Avs, skated in a non-contact jersey. We’ll see after the morning skate tomorrow how he is.

Hey folks, do me a solid too: Bring your non-perishable food items to the game tomorrow. The Avs are collecting such food items, along with any cash donations you want to make, to benefit the Denver Rescue Mission. I can tell you firsthand that everything given goes right to the people who need it – not bureaucrats.

More on that here.