Deen’s Daily: Avalanche Hockey Returns!; UFA Defenseman On Their Radar?

Preseason is here! The Avalanche are in action tonight, playing games at both Magness Arena and Ball Arena four hours apart. Also, could a UFA defenseman still be on their radar?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — September 21.

Colorado Hockey Now

Day 3 wrapped up with some fun new line combinations as Gabe Landeskog and Brent Burns got the day off. We got our first look of a line I’d love to see play together in Artturi Lehkonen, Brock Nelson, and Martin Necas.

We also learned that Nathan MacKinnon, Ross Colton, Joel Kiviranta, Scott Wedgewood, and Burns are among the players who will not play in any of the two preseason games on Sunday.

Which, by the way, hockey is here! I know it’s only preseason, but I’m genuinely excited. The Avs take on Utah at Magness Arena at 2:30 p.m. and Ball Arena at 6:30 p.m. I’ll be at Magness and I’m pumped.

Here’s what we know about the split squad games.

READ MORE: Landeskog Will Play in Avalanche’s Preseason Opener; Burns, MacKinnon Will Not

I’ve also got a story up on UFA defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, who is at the Chicago Blackhawks training camp on a professional tryout.

Could the Avs still be interested in the left-shot defenseman’s services?

READ MORE: Report: Avalanche Could Still Have Interest in UFA Defenseman

Around The NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It’s going to be a long, tough season in Pittsburgh. At least that’s the expectation. But some of the guys on that team are fighting for more than just a playoff spot. They’re hoping to kickstart or extend their careers. After an offseason trade, goalie Arturs Silovs is one of those guys.

Detroit Hockey Now: I’ve thought this should be a ting we talk more about for months, and now my colleagues at Detroit Hockey Now are catching on. Could the Wings be an option for Quinn Hughes if things don’t end well in Vancouver?

Vegas Hockey Now: Seven observations from Day 3 of the Golden Knights’ training camp.