ANAHEIM, Calif. — On Wednesday morning in the ice-level corridor at the Honda Center, Avalanche strength and conditioning coach Paul Goldberg put Joe Sakic and Paul Stastny through “runs” at the end of a bungee-type cord.
Both marquee centers then participated in the game-morning skate, but neither suited up for the game against Anaheim as the Avalanche continued to target the second stop of the road trip, Friday against the Phoenix Coyotes.
“They’re a step closer,” Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said. “We’ll be dealing with this on Friday and hopefully there’s a chance that one of them could be in the lineup.”
Defenseman Kyle Cumiskey, who missed 17 games with a groin injury, was reactivated Wednesday and played against the Ducks. Veteran defenseman Karlis Skrastins was scratched for the first time in five games, along with center Jaroslav Hlinka. Scott Parker was in the lineup for the first time since Jan. 24.
Finnish line.
The game was Teemu Selanne’s third at home since the Ducks winger returned from his sabbatical. The Ducks are selling No. 8 T-shirts in their gift shop, with “HE’S BACK” over the number, where his name usually would go.
Foppa clause.
With Peter Forsberg again vacillating and saying he hasn’t completely ruled out trying to play this season, this food for thought: Although he will be 35 next season, and 35-and-older players usually are eligible for incentive-laden one-year deals, the provision won’t apply to Forsberg. He won’t turn 35 until July 20, missing the June 30 cutoff date. So if he decides this summer to come back, he won’t be eligible for incentives that would lessen the risk for a team signing him.
Hooky hockey.
The Ducks’ Tuesday practice drew a crowd of schoolchildren on a field trip estimated at 16,000.
Terry Frei, The Denver Post
