With Erik Johnson sidelined for the next few weeks, the Avalanche had only six defensemen on its active roster for .
That didn’t leave Colorado short on defense, since it usually dresses only six defensemen and makes one a healthy scratch, but having only six on the roster eliminates the option of suiting up seven (with only 11 forwards) and eliminates a safety net.
That changed Wednesday when the Avs called up Stefan Elliott from Lake Erie.
“Playing with 12 forwards, it’s OK, but six ‘D’ is a little risky,” Colorado coach Patrick Roy said. “Something could happen in a morning skate or whatever.”
Roy noted that Elliott, 23, who played 58 games over the previous three regular seasons for Colorado, represented Lake Erie in the American Hockey League All-Star Game on Monday night. “I know that Elliott is playing really well,” Roy said.
The Avalanche didn’t practice Wednesday, but the players reported for off-ice work at Family Sports Center. Colorado faces the Predators again Friday night, this time at the Pepsi Center.
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.com or twitter.com/TFrei
