Feeling the need for a bigger, more physical player – and believing youngster Brad Richardson’s development was stalling at the NHL level – the Avalanche on Wednesday made the surprising move of reassigning Richardson to Albany of the American Hockey League.
Richardson, a regular most of the season, was replaced on the Avs roster by rookie Ben Guite, one of the team’s final cuts in training camp. Guite (pronounced Gee-tay) is a 28-year-old right wing with a reputation for playing with an edge. It didn’t hurt his cause that he had points in 12 of his past 13 games with the River Rats (five goals, 12 assists) and was second overall in scoring with 25 points.
“He’s a scrappy type of guy,” Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said. “He’s played well in the minors, and we felt he deserved this chance. He’s a guy who can kill penalties and has an all-around kind of game.”
Richardson’s demotion would have seemed highly unlikely at most early points in the season. The center drew strong notices from Quenneville for his speed and aggressiveness, but he was a healthy scratch in recent games, and his scoring production had stagnated. In 36 games for the Avs, Richardson had five goals and four assists, with 24 penalty minutes.
“Consistency in his game – that’s an element we’ve been looking for, for more predictability,” Quenneville said. “It was a tough thing to tell him (about the demotion) and he was disappointed, as you might guess. But he’s young and hopefully he can learn from this and work his way back.”
“Brad’s definitely upset by it,” said Wojtek Wolski, a former rookie teammate of Richardson’s. “But I know he’s going to use this as motivation to get back.”
Guite, who will wear No. 28, hopes to be in the lineup for Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Pepsi Center. The former University of Maine player spent some time in the Boston organization, playing one game for the Bruins last season. He said he can contribute not only on the penalty kill, but on faceoffs.
Guite is seventh-round draft choice (172nd overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in 1997.
“I think I use my size to my advantage,” said Guite, 6-feet-1, 211 pounds. “I think I can play at both ends of the ice. I know they signed me as a free agent this summer, and I’m real excited to be here. I don’t think I’ll be counted on to lead the team at the offensive end, but I pride myself in playing an overall game.”
McLean back
Forward Brett McLean returned to practice Wednesday after missing two games with a back injury. He is expected to play Friday.
Defenseman Patrice Brisebois (back) did not practice, but said he was feeling better and hoped to return “in a few more days.”
Game rescheduled
The Dec. 21 game with the Calgary Flames that was postponed because of a blizzard has been rescheduled for April 8 at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the earlier game will be honored.
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
