Adrian Dater
Good news from Jared Bednar today on Nathan MacKinnon:
“He’s doing better, feeling better,” Bednar said, after Colorado Avalanche practice. “Hopefully, if things continue the way they’re going, hopefully he can return right after the All-Star game for us.”
That would be a Feb. 10 home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
MacKinnon had surgery for a broken nose after a collision with Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall last week. Bednar said he also suffered a concussion, and while not getting into specifics of the concussion now, it’s obviously sounding like the severity of it wasn’t/isn’t as bad as first feared.
Bednar said MacKinnon would not be traveling to Las Vegas for the game, not even to lend support or serve as a bench captain like he’s done in the past when he couldn’t play in one of the ASGs.
NOTEBOOK: Ryan Murray has fully recovered from his latest injury and will be in the lineup for the Avs tomorrow night against the Arizona Coyotes, Bednar said. Kurtis MacDermid will go back to forward, and Dylan Sikura will be sent back to the Colorado Eagles. … Veteran Darren Helm practiced in a non-contact jersey. He should be back after the All-Star break. … Bednar on today’s practice: “We had a good meeting this morning, we talked about the things we needed to. We talked about not practicing all the time, to make sure we’re energized and we have our rest. . . If we’re going to practice, I want us to practice with a purpose. I don’t want to take them on the ice to skate around and do shooting drills. Why sap that energy. I told the guys you’re either on the ice today or you’re on the ice tomorrow so you have one skate in between.” … Bednar on Nazem Kadri picking up slack when MacKinnon has been out: “I think it’s just deep desire to help the team in any way that he can, to have success when you’re missing a guy like that, like Nate. There is a little more opportunity for Naz, but not a lot. he’s continuing to do the same job. He’s still on the same power play. I just feel like he’s really hungry and competitive in the games. Has been all year in all the games. Part of it is a little more opportunity, part of it is just knowing that we need him to be really good I think with Nate out of the lineup.” … Bednar was asked about the prognosis/status of Bo Byram, who is on personal leave: “No idea.” Bednar said the team is in communication with Byram, but left it at that.
Terry Frei contributed to this report