has returned to the ice for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury which has held the Avalanche defenseman out for nine games and counting, coach said Friday.
Johnson wore a red non-contact jersey before morning skate for individual work as Colorado prepared for its game against New Jersey at the .
“Thatap the first skate for him, yesterday a little bit and then today, so we’re hoping to get him into practice on Sunday in non-contact,” Bednar said. “He’s making progress. Itap been a little bit longer than what we thought it might be. The team is playing well, so no need to rush him back in, but we’re going to start dialing him up and getting him ready to play some time here in the near future.”
Johnson’s injury occurred Nov. 23 when he was cross-checked into the boards by Toronto forward Alex Kerfoot, a former Avalanche player handed a two-game suspension for the dangerous hit. While Colorado has missed Johnson’s penalty-killing prowess, it has rolled to a 7-0-1 record in his absence with defensemen and increasing their workload.
However, Johnson’s pending comeback gives the Avalanche further positive momentum.
“Itap very exciting to see him coming back,” defenseman said.
Footnotes. Avs goalie will start in net against the Devils with as his backup. Francouz is 3-0-1 over his last four appearances with a .934 save percentage. … Injured defenseman (upper body) participated only in gym training Friday and will be held off the ice until practice on Sunday, Bednar said. … The Devils (9-16-5) are winless in the month of December.
