On the bright side for the Avs, a slew of players returned to the ice. Colin Wilson took part in his first team practice since being acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators on July 1, and rookie Tyson Jost skated with his teammates for the first time in a week.
"I thought all of those guys coming back in were good," Bednar said. "They spent a couple days skating and conditioning on the ice with some of our development coaches. [Jost], (Blake) Comeau, Wilson, (Tyson) Barrie, all full practice, contact. I think they all made it through fine. I didn't notice any problems."
Bednar said he expects each player to play in at least one preseason contest this weekend, which features three games in three days.
Jost was out with a minor groin injury that started irritating him at the San Jose Prospect Showcase that took place Sept. 9-12. He then aggravated it last Friday when training camp began, and the annoyance got to the point where he couldn't finish the on-ice session, forcing him to leave midway through the skating test.
"It's pretty unfortunate with what happened there. It's tough, especially when it's in training camp and I'm a first-year guy and I want to make an impression," Jost said. "It's a good thing it is just minor. [Avalanche assistant athletic trainer Scott Woodward] did a great job with me to rehab this past week and get me back on the ice. I've been skating on my own the past three days and getting my conditioning back, so I felt really good out there. It's exciting to get back on the ice."