One thing Avalanche defenseman Kyle Cumiskey always has had is speed. But if that’s all it took, NHL teams would have lined up to sign speedskater Eric Heiden after the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics in addition to the members of the U.S. “Miracle on Ice” team.
Also, listed at 5-feet-10 and 185 pounds, the same as fellow Colorado defenseman John-Michael Liles, Cumiskey sometimes is at a size disadvantage, especially in front of the net.
That said, Cumiskey has continued to stake a claim on a spot in the Avalanche lineup after returning from a foot injury three weeks ago, and he had two goals in Colorado’s 6-0 rout of Edmonton on Monday night.
He was paired with captain Adam Foote much of the time before Foote went out of the lineup with an ankle problem 12 days ago and was with rugged Ryan Wilson until Wilson suffered a head injury in the first period against the Oilers.
“I don’t think it really matters who he plays with,” Colorado coach Joe Sacco said. “When he’s skating, he’s a very effective player. There aren’t too many guys who can keep up with him. His compete level is very high. He’s not the biggest guy, but he sure plays big. He plays with a lot of courage. I think he’s continued to improve every game since he’s come back from his injury.”
Cumiskey, 23, is averaging nearly 19 minutes of ice time in 33 games for Colorado this season. The British Columbia native has six goals and four assists, and he is a plus-1.
“It took me a few games to adjust back to the speed of the game,” said Cumiskey, who missed 16 games with a foot injury. “The coaches have said they want me focusing in on my defense, and if I get an opportunity to jump into the play, that’s something they want me to do. I’m not trying to force it or anything, but if the opportunity’s there, I’ll take it.”
One of Cumiskey’s goals against the Oilers was on a 5-on-3, and he and Liles did jump up and also had virtual tap-in goals as the Avalanche didn’t meet with much resistance from an Edmonton team that appeared to be going through the motions.
“I didn’t really see the puck on that one,” Cumiskey said. “Paul (Stastny) put it right on my stick with that pass, and it doesn’t get any easier than that.”
Last season, Cumiskey had a frustrating year, playing 28 games for Lake Erie, sitting out 14 Colorado games as a healthy scratch and finally missing the final 33 games after suffering a shoulder injury against Toronto on Jan. 29. He changed numbers — from 48 to 10 — and was on the Avalanche opening night roster for the first time in his four seasons with the organization. He played the first 24 games before going out with the foot injury.
This isn’t all that unusual in the NHL, but while it seemed that Colorado would have some difficult manpower decisions to make on defense, it has turned out to be a rotating cast because of injuries. The latest was Wilson’s head injury. The Avalanche didn’t practice Tuesday, and there was no additional word on Wilson’s diagnosis and prognosis. Colorado will take a four-game winning streak into a Friday home game against Nashville.
Terry Frei: 303-954-1895 or tfrei@denverpost.com
