This morning’s news, from the skate: Goalie Andrew Hammond will serve as the backup to Jonathan Bernier tonight when the Avalanche hosts the Dallas Stars.
Hammond, acquired in the Matt Duchene trade, took part in the skate. Here is some video proof, shot by yours truly. Is there an Academy Award for best morning skate practice video?
The Hamburglar, who posted an amazing 20-1-2 record with the Ottawa Senators in 2014-15, with a .941 saves percentage, got on a plane this morning from Charlotte, N.C., where the AHL team he played for – the Belleville Senators – had a game tonight against the Checkers. In 10 games with Belleville, Hammond was 5-2-1, with a .919 saves percentage.
What happened to Hammond’s career since that magical run with Ottawa? Well, basically, he lost his starting spot to Craig Anderson after he returned from injury. Then, Hammond got hurt himself. He suffered a hip problem that eventually required surgery. He said he feels “healthy again” and believes his game can get back to a quality, NHL level. He just needs to get the chance somewhere first.
It’s possible – possible – he could play Friday in Minnesota, against the Wild. Here’s the deal: Semyon Varlamov is still sick, though Jared Bednar said he is feeling better and should be back on the practice ice Thursday. However, if Varlamov is deemed to be not quite ready to return, Hammond would then go on the trip to Minnesota and Bednar would make a determination on the starter before the flight.
Here is a two-minute interview of Hammond talking, after the skate:
In other news: Sven Andrighetto will be a healthy scratch tonight. Bednar said ‘Ghetto needs to get back to basics and “give us more” than he has lately. So, Gabriel Bourque will take his place in the lineup. Bednar said this will give his team a bit more “sandpaper” for the Stars, which he feels is needed.
So these look like the lines for tonight:
Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen
Wilson-Kerfoot-Compher
Nieto-Soderberg-Comeau
Bourque-Toninanto-Yakupov
Defense
Girard-Johnson
Zadorov-Barberio
Bigras-Barrie
Goalie
Bernier
Hammond
I talked briefly with Anton Lindholm today, and he essentially is ready to play again. It’ll be up to Bednar as to when that happens, but he can play again – and doesn’t even need to wear a mask for his recently-broken jaw.
