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EJ still unfit to play; Timmins would be likely replacement |
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Rick Sadowski
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Erik Johnson remained unfit to practice Saturday and unable to enter the Avalanche’s practice facility. Everyone else was on the ice.
Coach Jared Bednar said Conor Timmins likely would take Johnson’s place in the event he isn’t ready to play Wednesday in the season opener against St. Louis.
“Conor Timmins has looked fantastic,” Bednar said. “He showed up to camp in great condition, he looks bigger and stronger, more comfortable. He’s put some of his injury woes behind him, had a great summer of training, and he’s looked real good through training camp.”
Timmins, 22, had 27 points (three goals, 24 assists) in 40 games for the Colorado Eagles last season. He played in two Stanley Cup playoff games, coincidentally, when Johnson was sidelined with knee and ankle injuries.
Timmins, who is 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, was the Avalanche’s second-round pick (No. 32) in the 2017 NHL draft.
He’s persevered and come a long way since missing the entire 2018-19 season to recover from post-concussion syndrome after being injured in a postseason game the spring before while playing for the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.
Timmins said getting the chance to play against Dallas in the playoffs was a big boost in his development.
“At first, just being around the guys to see how they go about their business in the playoffs,” he said earlier this week. "That was definitely helpful for me.
"To get a taste of the action myself just gave me that extra level of confidence in my game, kind of showed me I could compete with the best of the best. It gave me a good platform to stand on going into this camp.”
Bednar also said defensemen Dennis Gilbert and Kyle Burroughs, players he didn’t know much about, have had strong camps.
Gilbert, 24, was acquired from Chicago in the Brandon Saad trade. Burroughs, 25, was acquired from the New York Islanders for A.J. Greer.
Gilbert, who is 6-2 and 216 pounds, had three points (one goal, two assists) in 21 games with the Blackhawks and seven points (one goal, six assists) in 30 games for Rockford of the American Hockey League.
Burroughs, who is 6-0 and 203 pounds, had eight points (two goals, six assists) in 58 games for Bridgeport of the AHL.
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