Defenseman Tyson Barrie might be in the lineup Tuesday in Vancouver when the Avalanche open a three-game road trip, and coach Jared Bednar said it's possible that goalie Semyon Varlamov could play Thursday in Edmonton or Saturday in Winnipeg.
Both players took part in a full practice session Monday following the three-day NHL All-Star break.
Barrie, who sustained a broken hand Dec. 23 against Arizona, was paired with usual partner Patrik Nemeth and was given some time on the power play.
Varlamov, who left late in the second period Jan. 2 against Winnipeg because of groin muscle issues, spent time with goalie coach Jussi Parkkila after practice, moving back and forth in the crease.
"He's coming on the trip to keep working with Jussi," Bednar said. "We'll just see where it goes. If he comes through today's practice well, if he feels good (Tuesday), it means he's one step closer. He had full action for the first time today in practice. I'd like to get a few practices under his belt, full team type stuff, then we'll make a decision for Thursday and then again for Saturday."
Jonathan Bernier will start against the Canucks with Andrew Hammond the backup .
"Nothing's holding me back anymore, so I should be good to go," said Barrie, who was second among NHL defensemen with 27 points in 34 games when he was injured. "It was a little bit sore, but today was really a good day. I'm excited to get back out there. The guys did an unbelievable job while I was out. I think it's a good time for me to come back."
Bednar said a decision on Barrie would be made Tuesday after checking to see how he "comes through today's practice."
Rookie defenseman Samuel Girard will stay on the first power-play unit for the time being.
"He did a good job with Barrie out," Bednar said. "The power play was clicking along, climbing spots in the standings. We liked the job he did there, so he'll stay there for now."
Forwards J.T. Compher and Colin Wilson also practiced after missing time with the flu. They were on a line with Alexander Kerfoot and will play against the Canucks.
But forward Sven Andrighetto (leg) and defenseman Mark Barberio (lower-body injury) didn't practice and didn't travel with the team late Monday afternoon. Andrighetto has missed 10 games, Barberio one.
Defensemen Andrei Mironov and David Warsofsky, and forward Dominic Toninato were recalled from San Antonio of the AHL.
"We needed (the break)," Bednar said. "We had three, four guys out, had a couple guys sick going into a couple of those road games (last week). The next thing you know, you're sitting with six regulars out of your lineup. It's a chunk of your team, so to be able to take the break and get a handful of them back and other guys a little bit closer, it's important for our team."
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Nathan MacKinnon looked tired after practice. He flew from Tampa to Denver in the morning after taking part in the NHL All-Star Game festivities, and was on his usual line with Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen.
He had a goal and an assist Sunday in the Central Division's 5-2 loss to the Pacific Division in a semifinal game.
"It was nice to see some friends you usually don't get to see," said MacKinnon, who is second in the league scoring race with 60 points, four behind Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov. "My family was there and they always enjoy those experiences. I didn't get to rest for these two or three days, but I still feel pretty fresh."