The banged-up Avalanche did not practice Tuesday, and a team spokesman said there will be no injury updates until the players reconvene Wednesday. The Avs, who had defenseman Erik Johnson and forward Cody McLeod injured in , begin a two-game road trip Thursday at Minnesota.
Johnson appeared to suffer a shoulder or torso injury after being checked by the Coyotes’ Martin Hanzal. McLeod’s injury is unknown. They join an injured list that includes forward Gabe Landeskog (head) and defensemen Ryan Wilson (ankle) and Matt Hunwick (torso). Center John Mitchell missed Monday’s game with the flu, and Steve Downie is out for the season after having reconstructive knee surgery.
Despite the urgent need for scoring forwards, center Ryan O’Reilly, last season’s leading scorer, remains unsigned and possibly on the trading block.
Including O’Reilly, the Avs played the third period Monday without eight regulars. Five of the replacements began the season in the American Hockey League, with each making less $900,000, prorated, or less.
The Avs are more than $18 million under the salary cap, according to CapGeek.com.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357, mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mchambersdp
