News and quotes from Avalanche camp Saturday:
* Defenseman Tyson Barrie scrimmaged after staying off the ice Friday because of a pulled muscle he sustained during tests on Thursday. Because he didn’t skate Friday, Barrie did a series of sprints back and forth on the ice while being timed by coach Jared Bednar.
“The back of my leg wasn’t feeling great, so I took a day to make sure it was OK,… he said. “I felt great today, so I took the practice and got hit with the physical testing after. I’m a little tired right now. Skating I’m not bad at, I guess. It’s a tough test, a tough camp. It’s good; you can see all the guys came in great shape.…
#Avs class time pic.twitter.com/jVPAvrdLQu
— Rick Sadowski (@RickS7) September 15, 2018
* Samuel Girard was asked to add some weight in the offseason and the 5-foot-10 defenseman said he’s gone from 164 pounds to about 178. He still looks as quick and fast as ever.
“Last year at the exit meetings they asked me to be between 175 and 180, so that’s what I did,… he said. “I worked pretty hard and I think I’m faster as well on the ice. I started at 10 percent of (body) fat and I finished the summer at seven percent. That’s pretty good for me and I’m pretty excited to start the season.…
Girard, who turned 20 in May, had 23 points (four goals, 19 assists) in 73 games as a rookie, with 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) in 68 games with the Avalanche following his Nov. 5 acquisition from Nashville as part of the Matt Duchene trade. He missed three of six playoff games against the Predators because of an upper-body injury.
Bednar said Saturday he’s considering using Girard on the first pairing with Erik Johnson but will experiment during the preseason.
“We’re hoping he’s grown enough in the first year that he can handle that job,… Bednar said. “It’d be nice to have those guys on the ice for 25 minutes a night the way they can play. He looks great. Two really good days of practice.
“You see a guy put on that type of weight and then you’re checking his body count to make sure it’s good weight, it’s muscle. Certainly looks to me like he’s kind of hit the nail on the head. We’ll see how the start of the season goes, but he’s stronger, he looks quick.…
Girard worked out hard on and off the ice and, including healthy snacks, said he ate between six and nine times a day.
“I wanted to make sure I keep my rapidity and I really think I’m faster on the ice,… he said. “Those (extra) pounds will help me to be stronger on the ice and to box out some players as well. I’m going to try defensively to use my stick, I think that’s one of my best qualities.
“I know I’m a small defenseman; when you’re small, you need to be smart and have a great stick. I know if I’m going against a big guy I’m not going to hit him. I’m going to try and contain him in the corner, use my stick and try to keep the puck.…
* Martin Kaut, the Avalanche’s first-round pick (No. 16) in the 2018 NHL draft, has been playing right wing on a line with Tyson Jost and Alexander Kerfoot.
Kaut signed a three-year, entry-level contract in July and probably will begin the season with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League. He also could play junior hockey for Brandon of the Western Hockey League (the Wheat Kings have his draft rights), though that isn’t likely. He doesn’t want to return to Pardubice in the Czech Republic.
“I like what I’ve seen,… Bednar said of Kaut, who had 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 38 games playing against older pros. “He’s got the ability to make plays, I think he sees it. The tempo of his game has just got to come up a little bit.…
* Defenseman Conor Timmins, the Avalanche’s second-round pick (No. 32) in the 2017 draft, remains off the ice as he deals with post-concussion symptoms.
“He’s getting better,… Bednar said. “Not cleared to practice, … nothing coming down the pipeline on him anytime in the next day or two.…