Cale Makar didn’t practice Wednesday, the third day in a row he was absent, but Nathan MacKinnon sounded a note of optimism:
“I think Cale will be healthy soon, he should be ready to go,… the Hart Trophy finalist said.
The NHL’s Return to Play Plan doesn’t allow teams to disclose information regarding injuries or illnesses, so MacKinnon’s comment was as close as we’re probably going to get for an update on Makar, who hasn’t practiced since Saturday, when he didn’t return for the second session.
Coach Jared Bednar, who on Saturday said Makar was “unfit… to practice, on Wednesday said he didn’t have an update and that Makar wouldn’t be in the second session after missing the first.
I asked Bednar if he likes the Avalanche defensive depth with what he’s seen of players in camp even without Makar.
“I do,… he said. “I think our depth in all positions has improved over the last few years. I mean, if you look at this year on the back end, we’ve got our regular guys who’ve been playing and if you look at the development of a guy like (Conor) Timmins, (and) Bo Byram is showing much better at this camp than he did in his first camp in the fall after a real good season in junior.
“And then you take guys like (Kevin) Connauton, who had limited playing time with us this year but when he did come up he played well, and guys like (Mark Barberio). You start adding that all up, we have eight, nine, 10 guys in there and some guys who have played for us in the past and proven minor leaguers, guys like (Anton) Lindholm.
“There’s much more options there and depth there than we’ve had in years past. That’s (general manager) Joe (Sakic) and his staff giving us the tools that we need to succeed, to get the job done.…
These were the pairings Wednesday:
Samuel Girard – Erik Johnson Ryan Graves – Ian Cole Nikita Zadorov – Kevin Connauton Conor Timmins – Mark Barberio
Like Bednar, MacKinnon believes the Avalanche have enough depth behind the blue line to succeed, though he did say (above quote) that he thinks Makar will be back soon.
“We have plenty,… he said. “Kevin Connauton is stepping in right now and before this year he’s played in the NHL for most of his whole career. He’s a solid player, likes to jump in the rush, great team guy. Guys like Graves, he’s one of the top shutdown guys in the league, led the league in plus/minus, a very positive player, great shot. It’s good to have options.…
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MacKinnon on Tuesday was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL’s Most Valuable Player. He also was a finalist for it three years ago. MacKinnon, who was fifth in the league in scoring with 93 points (35 goals, 58 assists) in 69 games, also is a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award and Lady Byng Trophy.
“It’s cool,… he said. “I think when I really turned my game around, I really started to focus on every little detail, off the ice and on the ice. I’m up for some big awards in two or three years, I don’t think that’s a coincidence. Obviously getting older, being more mature helps, but I definitely had to dial it in in every aspect of my game.
“I’ve had some tough seasons to figure that out and once I did, it’s obviously very rewarding. I know a lot of people who are close to me are proud, but like I’ve always said, to leave a legacy you have to win. That’s not what I’m really looking to do, to leave a legacy, but I want to win with these guys.
“We’re such a close group. Everyone wants to see everyone succeed and obviously with my teammates being so amazing … I’m playing with some great players and they make my life really easy out there. If we don’t have that depth when Gabe and Mikko get hurt, I’m not in this position, that just the way it is. You can’t play by yourself.
“In this day and age, you can’t carry two guys with you, you all have to work together. Along with that, an aggressive mindset, an aggressive playing style for myself, it worked out.…