Gabriel Landeskog, Philipp Grubauer and Brandon Saad practiced Friday after missing the previous three days because they were “unfit,” presumably because of COVID-19 protocol.

Defenseman Erik Johnson has yet to practice. Defenseman Keaton Middleton, who is on an AHL contract, left camp to get a second opinion after he didn't pass his physical, coach Jared Bednar said.

Landeskog skated on a line with Saad and Nazem Kadri, though most of the practice was devoted to special teams.

“Just per protocol I was told to stay away from the rink for a few days,” Landeskog said. “I only really missed three days. It’s good to be back and I’m looking forward to finishing off camp in a good way and then starting off with the first game on Wednesday (against St. Louis at Ball Arena).

”It was great to be back. Today was more get up and go the first part of practice, then it was special teams. It was good to be back out there again. I felt good. Honestly, I thought it was going to feel worse after a few days off the ice, but I felt pretty good.”

Landeskog said the knee injury he sustained in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against Dallas has healed. He was cut by a skate blade and didn’t play in Game 7, a 5-4 overtime loss.

“My knee’s good, I feel good, it was kind of a freak injury,” he said. “Bottom line is I got really lucky. It could’ve been a lot worse. I feel good and I’m ready to rock.”

Landeskog said he’s excited to play on the line with Saad, who was acquired from Chicago in October and Kadri, who’s beginning his second season in Colorado.

“We were on a line today and it felt pretty good,” he said. “It’s one of those things where sometimes you get put on a line and you have chemistry right off the get-go and sometimes you have to work on it. Today it was a good first day.

“We didn’t do too much 5-on-5 stuff, but I’m excited to get the chance to play with both of them. Obviously, I played with Naz in the past; we played in the (playoff) bubble quite a bit and I think Saad is going to bring a lot to the team: experience, he’s got two Stanley Cup rings and he’s got a lot of offensive talent. He’s got speed, he can finish and we’re looking forward to see what we can do as a line.”

Saad said he arrived in Colorado about three weeks ago and is still getting familiar with his teammates and trying to fit in as quickly as possible.

He had 33 points (21 goals, 12 assists) in 58 games last season and five points (two goals, three assists) in nine playoff games. He’s scored between 21 and 31 goals in five of his eight NHL seasons, all with the Blackhawks.

“Our expectations are real high and we expect to make a run at (the Stanley Cup),” Landeskog said. “It’s a championship mindset and we’re looking to taking the next step.”

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Eight players were placed on waivers:

Sheldon Dries, Kyle Burroughs, Jacob MacDonald, Jayson Megna, Daniel Renouf, Miika Salomaki, Thomas Tynan and Michael Vecchione



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