Aarif Deen
Eight Avalanche players will play in the Olympic quarterfinals, while the rest of the team returns to full-team practice today. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare calls it a career in Italy. Meanwhile, the break has helped many get healthy, Jeff Skinner is a UFA, and teams are preparing for the spring to the end of the regular season.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — February 18.
Colorado Hockey Now
Several of the Avalanche were on the ice yesterday for an optional practice, including Mackenzie Blackwood rocking a player’s stick and skating around without equipment. It felt like the perfect way for the non-Olympic guys to loosen up.
But now the real practices officially begin. It’s hard to believe we’re only a week away from the next Avs game. Colorado’s first full-team skate for the remaining players not in Italy is at 11 a.m. MT at Family Sports. Head coach Jared Bednar will meet with the media after the skate.
Meanwhile, the qualifying round wasn’t the best hockey, but it did give us another strong performance from two of the Avs’ top wingers. Both of them were beasts in their respective games.
Martin Necas led Czechia.
READ MORE: Martin Necas Scores Again, Sets Up Czechia Rematch vs Canada
Gabe Landeskog led Sweden.
READ MORE: Landeskog Stars For Sweden in Qualifying Elimination Match
After falling 5-1 to France, former Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare announced his retirement. Bellemare had the lone goal for France.
READ MORE: ‘This Is It’: Bellemare Retires Following France’s Olympic Elimination
The quarterfinals are set, and three of the matches include Avalanche participants. In two of them, we have Avs teammates going head to head.
READ MORE: Quarterfinals: Landeskog vs Nelson; MacKinnon, Makar, and Toews Face Necas
Around The NHL
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Olympic break was a good way for many to get healthy. The Pens definitely benefited from that.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Simon Nemec is a star for Slovakia at the Olympics so far.
San Jose Hockey Now: Jeff Skinner’s tenure with the San Jose Sharks was short-lived. He’s officially a UFA.
Detroit Hockey Now: Simon Edvinsson will be back in the lineup after the break, and the Red Wings have missed the towering defenseman. They are 3-5-2 without him.
Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins are in a playoff spot, but not everything has been perfect. Here’s their biggest concern so far this year.
Toronto Hockey Now: The Leafs got a lot of help from the break in terms of rest and recovery.