Darren Helm returned to the Avalanche lineup Thursday in the team’s first game back from the All-Star break after spending time with family in Colorado ski country.
Helm, nearing the end of a month-long game absence with a lower-body injury, didn’t take any risks with his health on the mountain.
“The kids did some skiing. The wife did some snowboarding. I was just kind of hanging around and watching,” Helm said. “I’ve never skied in my life. So, don’t worry, I wasn’t trying.”
The Avalanche is thankful for Helm’s veteran presence as the team embarks on its more challenging stretch of the season against quality opponents, starting with the defending two-time champion Lightning on Thursday night.
“I feel great,” Helm said. “A long time off is never fun but I feel healthy and ready to go. Excited.”
Helm, 35, is playing in his 15th NHL season for only his second franchise (14 years with the Red Wings). Helm recorded six points with four goals over 32 games this season — providing quality depth to a talented but youth-filled Colorado blueline — prior to a Jan. 10 injury he suffered against the Seattle Kraken.
“He was getting better as the season went on. We missed him in a few different areas,” coach Jared Bednar said. “I like the sturdiness that he plays with and he’s very predictable and consistent in his game. We rely on him in some defending situations and penalty-kill. He helps make that line tick a little bit.”
Helm won a Stanley Cup with Detroit way back in 2008. He aims to parlay that experience into another title chase with the Avs this season.
“I’m always thinking about how I’m playing and how I can get better,” Helm said. “The PK was a huge part of that. I want to be better at that and just play more to my identity. A little bit more physical and play with a little bit more energy. Keeping it simple. I thought I was doing that a little bit more in a couple of games before I got hurt. Thatap something I can keep building on.”
Footnotes. Goalie Darcy Kuemper earned the start in net Thursday night for the Avalanche. He entered the All-Star break at 12-0-2 over his past 14 games. … Nathan MacKinnon (upper-body injury) is on track to play Sunday at the Dallas Stars. … Injured defenseman Jacob MacDonald (upper body) is making progress with still no clear timeline for return. “He’s on the ice every day looking good and feeling better. In the gym doing more. Hopefully, his time is coming,” Bednar said. … Former Avalanche depth forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (2019-21), signed last summer to the Lightning, returned to Ball Arena on Thursday to play his old team. “He’s a great guy and a great player,” defenseman Erik Johnson said of Bellemare. “Really good at his role. Super positive and every day you got the same out of him. He worked hard and was a great teammate. I’m happy to see he’s doing well.”
