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Four injured Avs players back on ice for post-practice work

Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 24, 2007 at midnight

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CENTENNIAL - The encouraging news for the Avalanche is that all four of the team's injured players were on the ice Sunday at the South Suburban Family Sports Center.

But goalie Jose Theodore and forwards Milan Hejduk, Brad Richardson and Marek Svatos didn't work out until after the regular practice session ended, and coach Joel Quenneville wasn't certain when any of them would be available for a game.

Theodore, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 29, is working out with full gear and seemed to be moving well in his crease while facing shots on goal.

Quenneville said Theodore definitely wouldn't play Tuesday against Dallas at the Pepsi Center but might be available for a part of the preseason finale against Phoenix on Saturday.

The Avalanche will continue to carry three goalies, including No. 1 Peter Budaj and former Colorado Eagles standout Tyler

Weiman, but only until Theodore is ready to play.

"How Jose is feeling will dictate what we are going to do going forward," Quenneville said, adding that Weiman has had a good training camp but wouldn't be on the opening night roster Oct. 3 if Theodore is healthy.

"Three goalies? That isn't happening," he said.

Hejduk and Svatos are nursing groin injuries they suffered in practice Tuesday, and Richardson is recovering from a wrist injury he suffered in an on-ice session before training camp started.

"Hopefully, those guys can get injected into the practices any day now," Quenneville said. "We still have to make some (roster) decisions, and that's part of the decision-making process - how these guys are doing.

"Overall, we've had a real good camp. We've got some young kids that have made it real challenging for us. The picture right now is cloudy because of the injuries. We've got some tough calls to make."

The Avalanche reduced its roster to 31 players by assigning left wing/center Eric Healey and goalie Michael Wall to the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.