Avalanche suddenly is without a key forward for who knows how long

NEW YORK – The news is not good, or at least it wouldn’t seem, about a key Avalanche forward who was off to a good start this season:

J.T. Compher, who scored three goals and assisted on another in his first five games of the season, is out indefinitely, BSN Denver has learned, with a head injury. The injury is believed to have been caused from an elbow to the head from Calgary’s Sam Bennett in a game Saturday night.

The Avalanche is not calling the injury a concussion, just a head injury. Could it be a concussion? Maybe, but if it is the Avs are not calling it that despite being asked for clarification.

Compher’s absence better explains why the Avs recalled rookie Sheldon Dries and, on Monday, claimed depth winger Marko Dano off waivers. Dano, by the way, cannot join the team yet because of immigration paperwork to clear with authorities.

So, the Avs will have a lineup tonight that includes Dries and Vladislav Kamenev, against the New York Rangers. Compher, by the way, is with the team. So, that could be interpreted as good news.

Mark Barberio will be a healthy scratch for the Avs, who play the 1-4-0 Rangers at Madison Square Garden.