Defenseman Chris Bigras might return to the Avalanche lineup as early as Wednesday in Vancouver pending further tests to ensure he's over the concussion he sustained in a March 5 game against Nashville.
The 20-year-old rookie, who has missed the past three games, took part in a full practice Monday for the first time since getting injured and said he was feeling better.
"It felt good to be back on the ice today," said Bigras, who played in 23 consecutive games before the injury after being recalled Jan. 13 from San Antonio. "I just have to pass some tests. I feel like I'm not getting any symptoms right now. We'll see how that goes and go from there."
Bigras, who played 11:20 against the Predators, said he doesn't remember much about the incident in which he was hurt.
"I took a forearm or something, it was a pretty innocent play," he said. "It wasn't a huge hit or anything, but sometimes those things just happen, get you in the wrong spot. The important thing now is that I'm feeling better and it's getting better, and I hope to return pretty soon.
"It's something you don't want to mess with, your head, for sure, but I feel pretty good out there, had a good day out there. It's the first time skating and it felt good to get back on the ice."
Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said he thought Bigras looked fine and that if he passes "one more test ... he'll play the next game."
Bigras said he'd never had a concussion before, finished the game and informed the training staff after that he was experiencing headaches and some blurred vision.
"It was something that I wasn't exactly sure (about), I've never had one before," he said. "So I'm not sure exactly how it felt like. But once I did bring it to them, they assessed it and it turned out to be one."
The symptoms have passed, Bigras said. "We'll see how (the tests go) and go from there," he said.
Zach Redmond has been playing in Bigras' absence on the third pairing with Eric Gelinas.
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Defenseman Tyson Barrie didn't practice Monday. Roy said he was given the day off for "maintenance" after sustaining "a bit" of a hamstring injury in Saturday's 3-2 loss in Winnipeg.
"There's no need for him to go on the ice today," Roy said.
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Roy said goalie Semyon Varlamov will start Wednesday in Vancouver and Friday in Calgary, with Calvin Pickard getting the start Sunday in Edmonton.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog will be eligible to return from his three-game suspension against the Oilers.
For now, at least, Roy said the Avalanche won't call up an extra forward. He would prefer that first-round pick Mikko Rantanen finishes the season with the Rampage. Rantanen has 21 goals and 29 assists in 42 games.