Practice Notebook: Foudy Called Up For Debut

The Avalanche took the ice at Family Sports Center today before heading off on a four-game road trip. The big news today was that Alex Galchenyuk signed a one-year agreement with the team after being released in training camp earlier in the season. The coaching staff was impressed with him during camp, but he unfortunately had a significant injury that would take a couple of months to heal. Jean-Luc Foudy was called up right after practice, so we did not get a chance to talk to him or ask about him.

Practice Notes

• Anton Blidh was called up and present at the practice today. He will be on the third or fourth line.
• Alex Newhook was wearing a white third-line sweater. Does this mean a possible demotion?
• Martin Kaut is sick and will not make the trip to Winnipeg. This would be the reason for Foudy’s callup.

When Bednar was asked if he was part of the decision to sign Galchenyuk, “Um, Yeah. I always have a little bit of input. He’s been up there scoring, impacting the game on the offensive side of things which we could use a little bit of that right now. He’s an experienced guy, he will provide um, power play time. So, he’s a good shooter and really good on the defensive side of things working on the seam so it makes sense.”

When asked if Galchenyuk is a top six candidate, “Yeah. Whatever you want to say our top six is. Right now it’s Compher, Cogliano and OC. I’ll keep those guys together. They will get the bulk of the minutes with MacKinnon’s line.”

Projected Lines

Forwards

Lehkonen- MacKinnon-Rantenan

Cogliano-Compher-LOC

Galchenyuk-Newhook-Foudy

Hunt-Megna-Blidh

Defense

Makar-Toews

MacDonald- Manson

Girard-EJ

Georgiev

Francouz

• Galchenyuk can play all three forward positions so this maybe some competition for Newhook at center for the moment.