Edmonton, Alberta – With Jordan Leopold scheduled to make his Avalanche debut Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks, coach Joel Quenneville will have to sit one of his current defensemen. Unless a trade happens before then, that is.
“Sometimes they’re made for you,” Quenneville said Thursday morning when asked about his possible decision.
There are indications the Avs may be trying to move one of their seven healthy defensemen via a trade. One NHL management source said Thursday the Avs have had discussions with a couple of teams about defenseman Ossi Vaananen.
Vaananen, 26, entered Thursday’s game with the Edmonton Oilers with two points and a plus-6 in 23 games.
If no trade is made, Quenneville will ponder who to sit before Saturday’s game with the Canucks. Quenneville said Leopold should be ready to go after missing the first 25 games following hernia surgery.
Avalanche defender Ken Klee, who had three assists in the first period of Thursday’s game, said the present defensive core is bracing for a change.
Quenneville indicated Jose Theodore will start against the Canucks. Theodore is 3-0 against Vancouver this season. … Winger Antti Laaksonen returned after a one-game benching. Cody McCormick and Kurt Sauer were the healthy scratches for Colorado. … Oilers veteran Ryan Smyth’s first-period goal was the 250th of his career. … Marek Svatos broke a three-game pointless streak with a second-period goal for Colorado.