Avalanche Injuries Lead To Callups, New Power-Play Units (+)

Today was the first full practice for the Avalanche since returning from Finland. Let’s just say, it was a much different team than when they left. Injuries have led to new lines and some callups to be made as well. Not to mention, the famous three defensemen second power play unit is no more. With Bo Byram out as well as Samuel Girard, the second power-play unit has been forced to make some changes in personnel. There was no coach availability today, so there will be more from Jared Bednar tomorrow.

Practice Notes

• Both Martin Kaut and Sampo Ranta have been recalled from the Colorado Eagles. Kaut was yesterday afternoon and Ranta this morning.
• The fourth line for the moment only has two wingers on it (Sampo Ranta and Dryden Hunt) with three centers rotating through.
•  Mikko Rantanen even had a few shifts during some drills at center with the fourth line.
• The second power play was forced to shift to Devon Toews, Jacob MacDonald, J.T. Compher, Alex Newhook, and Martin Kaut.
• Lines were as follows:

Artturi Lehkonen-Nathan MacKinnon- Mikko Rantanen

Alex Newhook-Evan Rodrigues-Martin Kaut

Andrew Cogliano- J.T. Compher- Logan O’Connor

Sampo Ranta- Dryden Hunt

• Both Jacob MacDonald and Kurtis MacDermid practiced as defensemen today.

Devon Toews

I talked to Devon Toews, who has been one of the focal points of the second power-play unit. I asked him how this will change their approach: “It’s all about getting everybody up to speed and on the same page. Our top unit will get most of the time. We have to take advantage of the 30-40 seconds that we get out there.”

When asked how his injury is doing: “It’s doing good, its been a few weeks now. It was good in New York and it was good in Finland. I feeling a lot better now.” On expecting a second child: “We are all so excited. My first is starting to talk and can say ‘baby’ so he keeps pointing at himself. But it is due at the end of January, so I will get about a week off with the All-Star break to bond with it and spend time with them.”

Jacob MacDonald

I also spoke with Jacob Macdonald, who was just hoping to make the team and now is on the power-play unit. He is expecting his first child in January, three days apart from Toews. On making the team and his role: “It’s really cool and I hope that I can just take advantage of the opportunity that I have been given.”

On playing defense or forward: “Strictly based on numbers I think I will be play D for now.”

On expecting a baby boy: “Yep, we are expecting in January. It’s gonna be an exciting month. I think we are gonna have some family in town for it. We are all so excited.”