Matt Calvert to return Wednesday; Avs get another scare with Rantanen, but likely for Leafs

Because of some logistical reasons, I departed today to Canada for the upcoming Avs road trip, which starts Wednesday in Toronto and continues through to Montreal and Boston. So, I wasn’t at practice today (I’m currently on layover for a couple hours in Orlando, Fla., where it’s 65 and sunny).

But thanks to the wonders of the Internet and social media, I’m able to give quick Avalanche medical updates.

My old friend Rick Sadowski tweeted from Jared Bednar’s media avail that Matt Calvert is back and ready to go, starting with the Wednesday game in Toronto. He was a full participant in practice today. (Check’s in the mail, Rick).

Mikko Rantanen did not practice, leading to lots of worry about a potential setback after playing one game. But Bednar said it was just a maintenance day and that he expects him to play, per Sadowski.

I think it’s pretty clear that Mikko’s leg/ankle could still be a bit better. I mean, not practicing on a day after a day off is a pretty big sign that he maybe still isn’t 100 percent. I mean, Mikko needs practice reps no matter what. But we’ll take the coach’s word for it, that he’s good overall and should be in the lineup Wed.

Gabe Landeskog practiced in a non-contact jersey. No word on a hoped-for return date, but it appears to be getting closer. Erik Johnson and Andre Burakovsky didn’t practice. Sadowski quoted Bednar as saying Johnson won’t be on the trip. It was also reported that Colin Wilson will now need surgery for a lower-body injury and out indefinitely.

I’ll have better boots-on-the ground reporting of the Avs from here on out the rest of the week. And, thanks to the dozens of new subscribers we had over Black Friday weekend. And, thanks to some others who have contributed to the Avs Travel Tip Jar too (yes, you, Karmen and Aaron and Richard and Kevin and Western Veteran, and others). That money goes to only two things: Avs travel and to the Thornton Food Bank. I don’t waste the money on vanity purchases on the road either, believe me. I scored two nights at a downtown Toronto Airbnb for a total of $88 in Canadian funds. I saw some hotel prices for downtown Toronto in the 800s PER NIGHT. Good god, if I was Bill Gates, I still wouldn’t pay that. What the hell is going on out there that hotels can get away with charging $800 a night?

I went by the Food Bank on Friday to make a donation on behalf of Tip Jar givers, but it was closed. So, I have a ton of non-perishable food items sitting in my trunk for another week. They’ll get there next Monday.

Talk next from the Great White North.