If it weren’t for injuries to a couple of key forwards, the Avalanche would have had personnel on its second line other than Tyler Arnason at center and T.J. Hensick at right wing.
Regardless, the goal-scoring output of the two players entering Tuesday night’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes has not been good enough for players at that designation. In 52 combined games, Arnason (32 games) and Hensick (20) had three goals overall.
Avs coach Tony Granato rarely criticizes players publicly, but he has occasionally chided Arnason in the papers. And Tuesday morning he sent a clear message to the rookie Hensick that he’s expecting better scoring numbers, and implied that if they don’t come Hensick might have to rediscover his touch in the minors.
“We’ve got some tough decisions coming up at forward, with some guys coming back,” Granato said. “We need T.J. to produce offensively.”
Hensick was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s game at Florida, but played with Arnason and Wojtek Wolski against the Coyotes.
Hensick had eight points in the first 20 games, one fewer than Arnason. The Michigan native has been frustrated about not scoring more, but says his confidence is higher than last season.
“Hopefully, I’ll get some bounces and get that second (goal) and get things rolling off of that,” Hensick said.
Footnotes.
Avs winger Marek Svatos (back) sat out against Phoenix, but Granato said the right winger will return Saturday against Detroit. . . . Injured Avs captain Joe Sakic (back, broken fingers) was at the Pepsi Center on Tuesday visiting teammates. The 20-season veteran was said to be in good spirits. Sakic has declined to talk with the media since suffering the finger injuries in a snowblower accident at home. . . . Defenseman Ruslan Salei (upper body) did not play but could return Saturday.
Adrian Dater, The Denver Post
