Defenseman Mark Barberio will make his season debut for the Avalanche on Saturday when the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Pepsi Center.

He replaces Patrik Nemeth, who sustained a minor upper-body injury Thursday against Minnesota.

“With the healthy bodies we have, and ‘Barbs,’ the camp that he had, we’re confident putting him in and giving ‘Nemo’ the night off,” coach Jared Bednar said after the morning skate. “It’s nice to be able to have those guys (like Barberio) and we still got a couple more guys up the road (with the AHL Colorado Eagles) that we like. Certainly, depth is a good thing.”

Barberio had 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 46 games last year. He missed 33 games because of injuries.

"It's always tough to sit out and watch your teammates play, but it's just part of hockey and I am just excited to get back in there,” he said.

The rest of the lineup remains unchanged with Semyon Varlamov in goal. Philipp Grubauer will make his Avalanche debut on Tuesday in Columbus.

Brian Elliott, who had a cup of coffee with the Avalanche a few seasons ago, will start for the Flyers. He made 23 saves Thursday in Philadelphia’s 5-2 win in Las Vegas. He has a 9-2-2 record against Colorado with one shutout, a 2.10 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

Former Avalanche goalie Calvin Pickard was back at the Pepsi Center for the morning skate and will back up Elliott. The Flyers claimed him on waivers Tuesday from Toronto.

Pickard was selected by Vegas in the expansion draft, but he was put on waivers and claimed by the Maple Leafs. He played one game for the Leafs, a 4-3 overtime loss in Denver, and spent the season with the AHL Toronto Marlies, who went on to win the league championship.

"It's a good opportunity for me to come in here and play some games, and I have to take advantage that," said Pickard, who will wear No. 33. “Couldn’t have that number here,” he said, referring to the digits of Hall of Famer Patrick Roy.

"It's definitely a whirlwind,” said Pickard, who got married over the summer in his hometown of Winnipeg. “I got comfortable in Toronto, it's a good organization. It's tough to leave, but this is a better opportunity and I'm excited about it."

Pickard had a 21-9-1 record with the Marlies last season with a 2.31 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

"He's going to bring a real competitive spirit, an upbeat spirit," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. "In terms of goaltending, he's built a good career."

The Flyers sent goalie Anthony Stolarz to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL to make room for Pickard. Michal Neuvirth, who is out with a lower-body injury, faced shots in the morning is getting close to returning.

Pickard is expected to start Wednesday in Ottawa, the second game of a back-to-back.

The Avalanche lineup:

FORWARDS
Gabriel Landeskog -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen
Alexander Kerfoot -- Tyson Jost -- Colin Wilson
Sheldon Dries -- J.T. Compher – Matt Calvert
Matt Nieto -- Carl Soderberg – Gabriel Bourque

DEFENSE
Samuel Girard -- Erik Johnson
Nikita Zadorov – Tyson Barrie
Ian Cole – Mark Barberio

GOALIES
Semyon Varlamov
Philipp Grubauer



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