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Bigras, Comeau, Redmond hurting; Gelinas finally has full practice |
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Rick Sadowski
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There was some news on the injury front for the Avalanche on Tuesday.
Defensemen Chris Bigras (concussion) and Zach Redmond (lower body) didn't practice, and neither did right wing Blake Comeau (back). Bigras was injured Saturday against Nashville and didn't play Monday in the Avalanche's 3-1 win against Arizona. It was the first game he missed since his Jan. 13 recall from San Antonio.
Coach Patrick Roy said he thought Redmond, who was a healthy scratch for 13 consecutive games until Monday, and Comeau would play Wednesday against Anaheim at the Pepsi Center. Bigras is doubtful.
Eric Gelinas will be paired with Redmond or Andrew Bodnarchuk against the Ducks if Redmond isn't able to go.
It took a little over a week, but Gelinas finally got in his first full practice on Tuesday since his Feb. 29 trade from New Jersey.
Gelinas' only previous on-ice sessions were morning skates before the March 1 game in Minnesota and before Monday's game against Arizona at the Pepsi Center. He hurt his back against the Wild and didn't get on the ice again until Monday before playing 14:27 against the Coyotes.
Gelinas, who is 6-feet-4, 215 pounds, has a booming shot and used it on a couple of power plays. For now, until he becomes more acclimated to the system, the power plays is where he's the most comfortable.
"In Jersey I put up some decent points on the power play," he said. "We didn't have the personnel that this team has, but it was a simple power play and it fit my role to shoot the puck, and that's what I bring. If I can bring that to this power play with the players that they have here, I think it could be a good thing."
Gelinas was a healthy scratch for nine consecutive games with the Devils before the trade, and he spent extra time on the ice Tuesday with assistant coach Dave Farrish.
"During the course of (Monday's) game I thought he started to feel more comfortable," Roy said. "I like the way he played. He's got a great shot, he's a great skater. I think if Dave works with his positioning and his stick he'll be fine. For him I think it's just a matter of getting some confidence.
"It was a tough situation for him because he only had a morning skate. I thought he did a good job. I was very happy with his game in general."
Gelinas, 24, had six goals and 13 assists in 61 games last season. He had one goal and five assists in 34 games with the Devils this year.
New Jersey's second-round pick (No. 54) in 2009, Gelinas had 14 goals and 40 assists in 156 games with the Devils in parts of three seasons.
"I was really excited when I heard the news to come to this team," he said. "I think it's one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch with all of the young stars. I was real happy to get traded here.
"The guys here make it pretty easy to get open, so adjusting to the system hasn't been that bad. It's different than New Jersey (which was) pretty simple hockey. Now it's exciting to see all these different plays happen."
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