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Varly, Bernier close to return |
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Rick Sadowski
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Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier might be available Friday when the Avalanche play Chicago at the Pepsi Center to close out the two-game homestand.
Varlamov, who was ill and missed Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Philadelphia, felt better and worked with goalie coach Jussi Parkkila on the ice before practice Thursday.
Bernier practiced after missing three games because of an infected cut on his hand. He said he spent last weekend in the hospital. He took part in the morning skate Wednesday without a stick.
"I caught a puck and I had a little cut that was open and it just got infected two days later," he told reporters. "Spent the weekend in the hospital and that's unfortunate, but at least I didn't need any surgery. Feels better now and hopefully I will be back tomorrow."
Andrew Hammond made 31 saves against the Flyers in his first NHL game since Feb. 7, 2017 with the Ottawa Senators. Frequent flyer Spencer Martin has been reassigned to San Antonio.
Coach Jared Bednar said he would wait until Friday morning before deciding on the starter for the Chicago game.
Sven Andrighetto practiced on a line with Tyson Jost and Alexander Kerfoot. He's missed the past three games with a lower-body injury.
J.T. Compher and Erik Johnson didn't practice. Compher has a sore foot from blocking a shot Wednesday and Johnson has a sore knee after getting checked against the boards.
Mark Barberio skated on his own in a non-contact jersey. He hasn't played since sustaining a lower-body injury Jan. 23 against Montreal.
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The Avalanche announced they've signed two draft picks, defenseman Josh Anderson and center Travis Barron, to three-year, entry-level contracts.
The 6-feet-2, 225-pound Anderson, 19, was a third-round pick (No. 71) in the 2016 NHL draft. He had a goal and six assists in 25 games with Prince George of the Western Hockey League this season before being traded to Swift Current, where he had two goals and five assists in 29 games.
Anderson has nine goals and 26 assists in 206 career games with Prince George and Swift Current.
The 6-1, 201-pound Barron, 19, was a seventh-round pick (No. 191) in 2016. He had 21 goals and 36 assists in 67 games this season in his second year as captain of the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League. Barron has 59 goals and 90 assists in 250 career OHL games.
Both are playing for their respective teams in the playoffs.
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