CENTENNIAL, Colo. — The Colorado Avalanche will head out on the road later on Friday for their first visit to Edmonton. The pace at practice on Friday was fast, with almost every player taking part. All but one player on the Avalanche took the ice for the morning skate at Family Sports Center. Joel Kiviranta, who is out long-term with a lower-body injury, was the only one unaccounted for on Friday. But defenseman Samuel Girard unfortunately does not appear to be ready for this weekend.

On Tuesday, head coach Jared Bednar had stated that if the French Canadian took contact, he might play. Girard took part in every team drill on Friday except the special teams drills. He did not take any contact and stood and watched the special teams. This would be a good sign that Girard is not ready to play on the Canadian trip for the weekend. This means that Jack Ahcan will probably get to play another game over the weekend since they are back-to-back games.

Forward Gavin Brindley appears to have full clearance to return to play. For the last two days, Brindley has shed his red non-contact sweater after suffering a concussion against Vegas a week ago. Brindley will roll back onto the fourth line and also back on the power play. His speed and grit have been very useful for the Avalanche on the bottom-six, providing consistent pressure on the opponents. His return will have a trickle-down effect on the Colorado Eagles too. They have had to lose a player to fill Brindley’s role, and it cost the Eagles a top-six player.

Logan O’Connor continues to grind in his recovery. He skated on his own with the skills coach for about 30 minutes and is due to return later in the month. It will make a tough decision for the Avalanche when O’Connor returns. Who do they send down? Brindley has been playing so well that it would be a tragedy not to have him with the Avalanche.