Dennis Everberg practiced Friday after arriving from San Antonio and unless things change Saturday, he'll skate at left wing on the third line with Carl Soderberg and John Mitchell. That's where he was at practice.
Blake Comeau, who started the season with Matt Duchene and Jarome Iginla, returned there at left wing after playing the past three games on the third line. First-round pick Mikko Rantanen, who was assigned to the AHL Rampage on Thursday, was on the Duchene unit for those three games.
Coach Patrick Roy didn't talk after practice, so we'll know for sure Saturday morning, but the Nathan MacKinnon and Mikhail Grigorenko lines were intact Friday.
"I went down and worked hard, and when you work hard you get rewarded, so it was good," said Everberg, who had three goals and two assists in three games in San Antonio. "I played with Mitchell before, so I think we'll have a good line."
Everberg, 23, had three goals and nine assists in 55 games with the Avalanche last season. He missed 10 games with a shoulder injury.
Defenseman Brad Stuart (back injury) didn't practice and is day to day.
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The Avalanche are surprised by the Columbus Blue Jackets' 0-8-0 start and expect them to play hard and well Saturday night at the Pepsi Center under new coach John Tortorella, who replaced Todd Richards on Wednesday.
Tortorella made his debut Thursday when the Blue Jackets played pretty well but lost 3-2. Tortorella even benched leading scorer Ryan Johansen for the final 6 1-2 minutes.
"Everyone thought they were going to be an up-and-coming team," Erik Johnson said. "They play hard and they're obviously going to be hungry for their first win and we expect to get their best game. 'Torts' is a fiery guy and I'm sure he'll try and figure out what's ailing them right now. Just from playing against them the past couple years they work hard and they're tough to play against. It'll be a tough game for sure and we have to be ready to go.
"You treat it the same way. Like any team coming in you prepare the same way, do the same things, watch video. The biggest thing is you probably want to get that first (goal) right away; they'll probably be down on their confidence a little just from not having too much success this season. But we know they can bring a good game. They're going to be pushing hard for that first win. It's going to be a tough game regardless of their record."
The Blue Jackets are off to the worst start in the NHL's modern era (post-1967 expansion). The only team off to a worse start in league history: the 1943-44 New York Rangers, who began 0-11.
Said Nate Guenin: "They need a win, but so do we. Our record (2-3-1) isn't where we want it right now. Whether they were 0-8 or 8-0 we need to be the desperate team."
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Several former Colorado Rockies -- as in Rocky Hockey -- are scheduled to be introduced before Saturday's game during "Celebration of Hockey in Colorado," part of the Avalanche's 20th anniversary season celebration.
Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald will be at the Pepsi Center, along with Barry Beck, Wilf Paiement and others. They'll sign autographs from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30.
The Avalanche will wear their new third jerseys for the first time.