The Colorado Avalanche, already navigating a wave of preseason injuries, now face an additional hurdle: a scheduling disruption.
The organization announced that their first exhibition matchup against the Utah Mammoth, initially slated for a 2:30 p.m. puck drop at Denver’s Magness Arena, has been postponed to 5:00 p.m. due to logistical complications. The second contest, originally scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Ball Arena, has likewise been adjusted, now set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
The revised timetable underscores the challenges teams can encounter even before the regular season commences, as players, coaches, and staff must quickly adapt to shifting circumstances while maintaining focus on performance and preparation.
As far as the rosters are concerned, it will be a logistical challenge, as it already was before the delay.
Captain Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Valeri Nichushkin are expected to start in the DU game, while Brock Nelson, Marty Necas, and Artturi Lehkonen will hit the ice at Ball Arena.
Injuries
Logan O’Connor, Sam Girard, and Mackenzie Blackwood are all dealing with injuries.
O’Connor, who underwent hip surgery over the summer, remains on schedule for a return in early November, albeit he's skating well ahead of schedule.
Blackwood is recovering from an offseason lower-body injury and while he was present at training camp, did not participate in drills along with the full squad. His status is week-to-week.
Girard is dealing with lower-body issues, but head coach Jared Bednar indicated that he is expected to be prepared for the season opener.
In the absence of Blackwood, the Avalanche will likely name Scott Wedgewood as their primary goaltender. But fans shouldn't be worried, as Wedgewood was stout throughout camp. With Girard sidelined, Colorado’s defensive corps is left with a single reliable left-shot blueliner in Devon Toews, while Bednar confirmed that Malinski will also assume responsibilities on the left side.
It's also possible that Keaton Middleton will get called up to play on the third line with Brent Burns, as he's shown improvement throughout the offseason.