Relieved that the NHL trade deadline has passed, along with the rumors they've been hearing for several weeks,
Matt Duchene and
Gabriel Landeskog can relax knowing they'll remain members of the Avalanche for the rest of the season.
Their status could change once this dreadful season ends, of course, but both will be in the lineup against Ottawa on Thursday when the Avalanche continue their road trip.
Again, there will be more trade options for general manager
Joe Sakic around the draft than there were in the days leading up to the deadline if he's interested in making a major deal.
Colorado will have one newcomer in the lineup against the Senators -- forward
J.T. Compher, who was recalled from San Antonio; he'll wear No. 37. Compher, 21, has 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 41 games with the Rampage.
"We're kind of anxious to look at him," coach
Jared Bednar told reporters. "He's had a good year in the American Hockey League. He had a little bit of injury trouble early that put him out, but he's been playing really well since he's been back, playing important minutes down there and carrying the load for the team offensively. We're kind of excited to see him."
Forward
Sven Andrighetto, acquired Wednesday from Montreal for
Andreas Martinsen, is expected to join the team for Saturday's game in Winnipeg; he'll wear No. 10.
The Avalanche didn't have a morning skate, but
Calvin Pickard will start in goal after sitting as
Jeremy Smith's backup for two games.
Here are the
GAME NOTES.
"I want to be here," Landeskog told reporters after the deadline passed. "I want to remain an Avalanche for a long time, so I'm happy to be here on this day and for 3 o'clock to be over with. Now we can just focus on trying to be better as a team and preparing for next year."
It will be interesting to see if Duchene, who seemed more affected by the trade talk than any of his teammates, will get his game back on track now. He has one goal (on 49 shots) in the past 18 games.
"I'm glad it's over," he said. "It's nice to just be able to move on. I'm not sure what will happen this summer, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. I tried to just approach it one day at a time. I owe it to this team to be present every day, mind and body. That's what I tried to do.
"There were times, days off, where you're at home sitting around, you see a tweet or something on the TV and your mind wanders maybe a little bit. But as soon as I come to the rink and I'm around the guys, I love being around my teammates here."
Not that Duchene has been the only slump-ridden forward. Among the team's top scorers,
Nathan MacKinnon has 12 assists but only one goal (on 63 shots) in the past 21 games. Landeskog has two goals (on 18 shots, one into an empty net) and two assists in nine games.
The Avalanche were sad to see
Jarome Iginla (traded to Los Angeles for a conditional 2018 fourth-round draft pick) and Martinsen leave, but happy they have a chance for a playoff run. The Kings are in the hunt for a postseason spot and the Canadiens lead the Atlantic Division.
"It was a little bit of a crazy day," Bednar said. "Everybody was walking around on pins and needles, kind of wondering what was going on. I think the guys are happy that Iggy has a chance to go and hopefully take a run at a Cup. Now our focus is on making sure we're doing the right things coming into (Thursday) night."
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