Avalanche fans can expect to see the team’s top prospect, Wojtek Wolski, on the ice in the NHL playoffs.
The team plans to recall Wolski for the postseason now that Brampton of the Ontario Hockey League has been eliminated from the playoffs. Brampton was ousted in the Eastern Conference semifinals by Barrie on Thursday night.
Wolski cannot play for the Avs in either of their last two regular-season games because his nearly $1 million NHL salary would put Colorado over the $39 million salary cap.
It is unusual for junior players to be recalled only for the NHL playoffs, but the Avs could use another good offensive player for the postseason. Wolski is likely to win most valuable player honors in the OHL this season. The left wing had 128 points (47 goals) in 56 games for Brampton. He was the league’s player of the month four consecutive months.
Wolski, 20, scored six points in nine games for Colorado in October before being sent to Brampton. The Avalanche will not have to pay Wolski any salary for playing in the postseason.
Footnotes
Avalanche left wing Brad May missed his fourth straight game because of a groin injury. … Avs defenseman Patrice Brisebois, who had eight goals in the first half of the season, has not scored since Feb. 12 in Detroit. … Avs center Brad Richardson entered Thursday’s game without a goal in his previous 19 games. … Bob Boughner and Vitaly Kolesnik were the Avalanche’s healthy scratches. … Avs left wing Alex Tanguay said his knee, on the mend from a sprain, felt good after his first game back Tuesday night. He played nearly nine minutes in the first period against the Flames.
