The Avalanche’s final sprint toward the postseason features an upcoming 11-day gauntlet with six-of-seven games played on the road. It’s imperfect timing, to say the least, and a grading stick for Colorado’s trade additions.
There are currently seven Avs players on the injury report: forwards Andre Burakovsky, Matt Calvert, Nazem Kadri, Matt Nieto, Mikko Rantanen, Colin Wilson, and goalie Philipp Grubauer. It appears the majority are not expected back until at least mid-March.
So, general manager Joe Sakic added depth before the deadline with forward Vladislav Namestnikov (Senators) and goalie Michael Hutchinson (Maple Leafs). Neither should elicit much excitement as “rental” players on expiring contracts — but that doesn’t diminish their importance with road tests against the Hurricanes, Predators, Red Wings, Canucks, Sharks and Kings.