Avs Notebook: Nathan MacKinnon back on ice, Francouz back in regular sweater

Fresh off a 2-0 road trip, the Avs took the ice Sunday morning at Family Sports Center. As if a four-game win streak wasn’t good enough, the Avs appear to be getting close to having players back as well.

Before practice started, Nathan Mackinnon, Bo Byram, Martin Kaut and Pavel Francouz were on the ice working on drills. All the skaters were wearing the non-contact red sweaters, but it was good to see them on the ice and skating. Francouz wore a regular jersey and took part in his first full practice in several weeks.

The three skaters stuck together working on passing and shooting drills and left when the team started practice.

Coach Jared Bednar after practice said the goal is to Mackinnon back for the next big road trip, which would start Dec. 1. I wouldn’t imagine that there is a sense of urgency considering the team has scored 24 goals in the last four games.

Nathan MacKinnon skating @ColHockeyNow pic.twitter.com/JBpdxwiezN

— Adrian Dater (@adater) November 21, 2021

Being the goalie girl I am, other big news out of today was Francouz taking shots for the first time and should be at morning skate tomorrow.

“He’s progressing,” Bednar said of Francouz. “And, Bo had a good day.”

Bednar said J.T. Compher is still a “ways off.”

There were smiles and overall a good mood at practice today. The Avs take on the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night at Ball Arena. Let’s see if the good times keep rollin’!

The Senators didn’t play at all last week because of a Covid outbreak, but the league has cleared them to resume play.