Brandon Gormley, left, battles with Carl Soderberg during Avalanche practice. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)
Defenseman Brandon Gormley on Thursday morning was placed on waivers by the Avalanche. If he is not claimed by another NHL team by Friday he will report to San Antonio of the American Hockey League. While the move was announced, Gormley was shooting pucks on Avs coach Patrick Roy at the team’s practice facility, along with defenseman Brad Stuart. Roy is preparing for next month’s alumni game at Coors Field against the old Detroit Red Wings stars.
“It’s a business,” Roy said of “practicing” with a player he had just placed on waivers.
Gormley, who was acquired in a straight-up trade with Arizona for defenseman Stefan Elliott in September, is on a two-way contract paying him $850,500 in the big leagues and $67,500 elsewhere. Stuart is partly why the Avs had to move Gormley.
“It gives us some flexibility,” Roy said of the move.
This week’s waiver-wire addition of defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk and the looming return of Stuart and fellow defenseman Erik Johnson led to Gormley’s departure. Stuart appears ready.
“Hopefully he’ll continue to improve and be ready to play shortly,” Roy said of Stuart.
Patrick Roy goalie gear. He practiced today for next month’s alumni game vs Wings. Journalism at its best
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers)
Johnson was seen walking around the practice facility and was overheard saying he just tweaked a knee, and not the one that forced him to miss the last half of last season. With Stuart and Johnson back, the Avs will have eight available D.
Bodnarchuk will again partner with Francois Beauchemin on Friday against Nashville. “I like his speed. I like his grit. I thought he moved the puck well,” Roy said of Bodnarchuk’s Avalanche debut Wednesday. “I think itap a good addition for our team.”
Mikko Rantanen, 19, is lone AHL all-star for San Antonio Rampage. Kid just won WJC gold for Finland, having a good week
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers)
