My Avalanche season preview is on NHL.com, along with three keys to success.
*****
There was a good deal of news in Avalanche camp Monday morning:
Center John Mitchell, who has been experiencing migraines, took part in practice for the first time and continued to skate and shoot pucks for about 40 minutes after with teammates Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly, Joey Hishon and Andrew Agozzino. Forward Jamie McGinn, who is recovering from a back injury, practiced for about 20 minutes.
"Still no time when (Mitchell) is ready to come back," coach Patrick Roy said. "McGinn) did the first two drills. Progressing but no time(table) for him."
*****
The Avalanche reduced the training camp roster to 38 players by assigning defenseman Stefan Elliott and goalie Roman Will to Lake Erie in the AHL. Elliott first will have to clear waivers, and it's quite possible someone will take a chance on the former second-round pick. A change of scenery couldn't hurt.
"I guess (that possibility) is part of the decision and we're very comfortable with our decision," Roy said. "We have 10-11 D's left and we'll see what's going to happen. So far, we're pleased with the guys that are here."
Elliott, 23, had no points and a minus-5 plus/minus rating in three preseason games. He had six goals and 12 assists in 58 games with the Avalanche in parts of three seasons. He had 14 goals and 14 assists in 61 games with Lake Erie last season.
*****
Defenseman Brad Stuart, 34, signed a two-year, $7.2 million contract extension ($3.6 million salary cap hit) that will take him through the 2016-17 season, and forward Cody McLeod, 30, signed a three-year, $4 million extension ($1.33 million cap hit) through 2017-18. Stuart, 34, has one year left on his existing deal worth $3.6 million. McLeod is making $1.15 million this season.
"Very happy for them," Roy said. "I love what I've seen so far from both of them. I think they're both very good veteran players for us. Brad has been playing a lot with (Erik Johnson) and you can see game after game his game is starting to be what we want. Same thing for Cody. He brings so much energy and he's a great leader on this team."
*****
Reto Berra will start in goal Tuesday night in Calgary against his former Flames teammates. Goalie Calvin Pickard will also be on the one-game trip.
"You see we don't panic," Roy said, smiling, referring to the Avalanche's 0-4-1 preseason record.
Tyson Barrie, Duchene, Nick Holden, Johnson, Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, O'Reilly, Stuart and Semyon Varlamov won't make the trip.
"That's why I'm saying we don't panic," Roy said.
Here's how the lineup will look Tuesday:
Forwards Tanguay-Winchester-Briere Agozzino-Hishon-Rendulic Talbot-Cliche-Everberg Schumacher-Henley-Maggio
Defensemen Hejda-Guenin Wilson-Redmond Siemens-Noreau
Goalies Berra Pickard