J.T. Compher seeks to regain rhythm following rocky Sweden experience

The Colorado Avalanche returned from the Global Series in Sweden and hit the practice ice for the first time Wednesday morning to shake loose the cobwebs as the team prepares for tomorrow night’s tilt against the Washington Capitals.

One of the many recently injured players looking to regain his rhythm is forward J.T. Compher, who returned to the lineup in Sweden but struggled to find a comfort zone.

“Right now, I’m just happy to be back in the lineup,” Compher said following practice. “Wherever they need me to play, wing, center with different guys, that’s what I’m going to do. Just go out there and try to make an impact. Those weren’t my best two games but you’re not going to play your best every night but it’s time for me to bounce back.”

The 22-year-old Compher has been given primarily tough minutes by head coach Jared Bednar this season as he’s been asked to face high-quality opposition, often beginning in the defensive zone. Early in the year, he was paired with forward Gabe Landeskog to make up Colorado’s designated shut down line before injuries forced a reshuffling. and reassigning of roles.

“I like that role,” Compher said, a broad smile spreading across his face. “It’s a fun challenge going against top guys and trying to shut them down, especially when I was playing with [Landeskog]. For me, if they think that’s the best role for me to help the team win, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

Compher’s role seems to have shifted a bit as he spent the practice on the right wing on a line with Colin Wilson and Alexander Kerfoot, a combination that strongly suggests they won’t be asked to play too much shutdown hockey tomorrow night.

Instead of worry about his matchups, Compher and his teammates are focused on getting back to playing Avalanche hockey after they got out of sorts in Ottawa against the unique counter-attacking system employed by the Senators.

“That was the main focus today,” Compher told BSN Denver. “Skating out of our zone and skating into their zone, driving the puck low and possessing it. That’s when we’re at our best so I think that’s the plan going into tomorrow.”

As a whole, the Avalanche look to get back to the win column after three consecutive losses, albeit one in overtime, as they hope to avoid the length losing skids that plagued them last season.

News and Notes:

– Tyson Jost skated in a regular jersey today but it was just his second full contact practice. Bednar seemed to indicate that is not enough to get him into the lineup tomorrow against the Caps but did not rule out Jost returning this weekend

– Gabriel Bourque would appear to be the second forward scratch if today’s lines hold true to form

– Tyson Barrie skated in a non-contact jersey today and his status will be updated tomorrow at morning skate

– Today’s lineup was as follows:

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen

Wilson-Kerfoot-Compher

Nieto-Soderberg-Comeau

Andrighetto-Kamanev-Yakupov

Girard-Johnson

Zadorov-Barberio

Bigras-Mironov