Highly touted Avalanche rookie Wojtek Wolski was benched for Wednesday’s game against Anaheim in a move coach Joel Quenneville hopes will send a stern message.
“Just like any player, we’re looking for consistency,” Quenneville said. “He’s a young kid, still learning.”
Wolski, 20, started the season strong, with three goals in his first four games. He does not have a point in his last six games, however, and is a minus-4 in that span. His only bright spot was a shootout goal in Saturday’s victory in Minnesota.
Wolski has not gotten a penalty minute in 21 games, and has faced some criticism that he isn’t using his 6-foot-3 size enough around the net.
Leopold doing well
Injured Avs defenseman Jordan Leopold skated with the team at Wednesday’s morning practice and appeared strong with cuts and pivots.
The Avs are targeting late next week, either Thursday in Edmonton or Saturday in Vancouver, as a potential return date.
Footnotes
The Avs entered Wednesday ranked 27th in NHL faceoff-winning percentage (47.8). … The Avs were second in the league in shots per game (33.9). … Former Av George Parros, now with Anaheim, was a healthy scratch. … The Avs have yet to score into an empty net this season. … David McNab, brother of Avalanche television analyst Peter McNab, is the assistant general manager with the Ducks. … Ex-Avs center Peter Forsberg told The Philadelphia Inquirer he will veto any trade the Philadelphia Flyers might consider for him. Forsberg has a “no-move” clause in his contract. The Flyers said they are not trying to trade Forsberg, who has been bothered by ankle problems again. He missed Wednesday’s game against Ottawa with back stiffness.
