Avs "getting close" to getting a key player back

Some quick updates from Avs practice today, with some surprising news:

• J.T. Compher, according to coach Jared Bednar, is “getting close” to a return. Compher, out since Oct. 13 with concussion symptoms, skated in a non-contact jersey again Thursday, doing drills with teammates in what was another of those “skills optional practices”, led by new skills coach Shawn Allard. Keep in mind: Bednar said this to the media today before consulting with the trainers, so things could change. But for now, it seems like Compher is on the good road back.
• Conor Timmins skated today. He was in a non-contact jersey as well, and only skated on his own before practice. But this is obviously welcome news. But, who knows? He has not played any hockey since March, because of concussion symptoms.
• Sven Andrrighetto is likely to be activated very soon, if not for Friday’s game with the Capitals. Check back Friday morning on that.
• Philipp Grubauer will start in goal against the Capitals, a team that is likely to be without starting goalie Braden Holtby and top forwards T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov (both with concussion symptoms). They haven’t been officially ruled out, last I checked, but it seems doubtful they’ll play based on their injuries sustained Wednesday in Winnipeg.
• I’ll have a BSN 10 posting later, with Mark Barberio. Should be fun.