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Mikko Rantanen practices; other injury updates |
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Rick Sadowski
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It might not be long before Mikko Rantanen rejoins the Avalanche lineup.
The star right wing took part in an optional practice Friday with several teammates for the first time since he sustained a lower-body injury last month.
Rantanen, who has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in nine games, wore a non-contact jersey and looked comfortable while stickhandling and shooting pucks. He’s missed 13 games since getting injured Oct. 21 against St. Louis.
Forward Colin Wilson, who sustained a lower-body injury Oct. 26 against Anaheim, skated with Rantanen before practice but didn’t take part in drills.
“Those guys have been skating off and on,” coach Jared Bednar said. “When they feel good, they get on the ice. There’s been some steps forward and backward, but I think Mikko’s making real good progress here.
“This is the first day he’s getting out with the group and jumping into some drills, so that’s a positive sign. I don’t have a timeline on either one of them.”
The Avalanche also have been without captain Gabriel Landeskog, who hasn’t skated since he sustained a lower-body injury Oct. 26 against Anaheim. Landeskog, who has seven points (three goals, four assists) in 11 games, will be re-evaluated by team doctors on Monday.
“A scheduled visit,” Bednar said.
The Avalanche have gone 5-5-1 without both Rantanen and Landeskog, who skate on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon, who is sixth among NHL scorers with 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 22 games. He has 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 11 games without them.
Bednar said forward Matt Calvert, who sustained a head injury Nov. 16 against Vancouver, also is making progress.
“He’s feeling a little bit better,” Bednar said. “He’s been putting in some workouts the past couple days. He was in earlier this morning, wanted to come in when it was a little quieter so he could get his work done and get out of here. We’ll see how things go and hopefully we’ll be doing a test soon to see if we can get him back on the ice on his own and eventually join the group.”
Forward Tyson Jost sustained an upper-body injury Nov. 14 against Edmonton and has missed three games. Bednar said it’s doubtful Jost will play Saturday against Toronto.
Avalanche center Nazem Kadri is scheduled to meet the media Saturday afternoon at the Pepsi Center before playing against his former Maple Leafs teammates for the first time.
The Avalanche acquired Kadri on July 1 in the trade that sent defenseman Tyson Barrie and forward Alexander Kerfoot to Toronto.
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