All the healthy skaters were accounted for when the Avalanche practiced on Tuesday at Family Sports Center. But that was after a late arrival for the captain. Gabe Landeskog joined practice late but was a full participant the rest of the way.
Two of the three injured forwards were also on the ice. Joel Kiviranta, who hasn’t played since Oct. 16, was a full participant and will return to the lineup on Wednesday when Colorado hosts the San Jose Sharks at Ball Arena.
Valeri Nichushkin also skated. He began before the team, donning a red non-contact sweater as he worked through some skills drills. Nichushkin stayed out there when the team joined and skated with them for a bit before leaving the ice early.
As for Gavin Brindley?
“Still ways away. No update,” head coach Jared Bednar said.
With Kiviranta returning, the Avs will only need one call-up for Wednesday’s game. They used both Tristen Nielsen and Jason Polin during the weekend games, but both were returned to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles following Sunday’s 1-0 triumph in Chicago.
The expectation is for Kiviranta to fill in one of the winger spots on the fourth line with rookie center Zakhar Bardakov. Parker Kelly was elevated to the third line with center Jack Drury and winger Victor Olofsson. Gabe
