Colorado Avalanche

Barberio: 'Fresh start;' Bednar hopes Iginla gets Cup chance  February 3, 2017, 4:13 PM ET [4 Comments] Rick Sadowski  Colorado Avalanche Blogger • Avalanche Insider • RSS • Archive • CONTACT

Defenseman Mark Barberio, the latest Avalanche waiver acquisition, practiced Friday and will be in the lineup and get some power-play time Saturday against Winnipeg at the Pepsi Center.

Calvin Pickard gets the start in goal.

Meanwhile, coach Jared Bednar said he doesn't see a problem with Jarome Iginla telling Puck Daddyon Wednesday that he would welcome a trade to a Stanley Cup contender.

"If he has an opportunity to go and get a chance to win, I mean, I think everyone in the room wants to see that happen, and I don't think it's a bad thing for him to say that at all," Bednar said Friday. "If we were two points out of a playoff spot, then it'd be a different scenario for me. But I hope he gets an opportunity.

[size]


"I think you look at Jarome and his career and what he's done here, he's been a true professional here. I love the way he carries himself, I love his compete, his passion for the game, he's a good teammate, he's a calming influence in the room ... he's not a boisterous talker, but he's got a demeanor to him that I respect, and I certainly respect his career."

Iginla, 39, is in the final year of a three-year contract. After scoring 29 and 22 goals his first two seasons in Colorado, he has six goals -- three on power plays -- in 48 games this year and lately has been playing on the third or fourth line.

"I would like to, at the deadline, go somewhere,” Iginla told Puck Daddy. "I would like to be in the playoffs. I would hope that there is some opportunity to go and play in the playoffs. Those are the best games, the most fun for sure, and you have a chance to win. So no, I haven’t given up on that chance to win."

Iginla has been a class act throughout his career and deserves a crack at the Cup.

*****

Barberio, 26, was claimed on waivers Thursday from Montreal and arrived in Denver late that night. He had a feeling something was in the works when the Canadiens activated defenseman Andrei Markovfrom injured reserve Tuesday after acquiring defenseman Nikita Nesterov from Tampa Bay on Jan. 26.

"It was kind of a (rollercoaster) 24 hours," Barberio said. "You kind of go from a low of one team not really wanting you to 24 hours later a team picks you up. It's kind of a fresh start and new life. I'm excited."

Barberio has gone from a Canadiens team that leads the Atlantic Division with 67 points to the Avalanche, who have a NHL worst 28 points and have no chance to make the playoffs.

"I want to bring some energy, I want to bring positivity as well," he said. "I feel like I'm a pretty positive guy and I just want to bring that to the dressing room. We're professionals, we're here to win hockey games. The next game is important for us, we have to try and win.

"I like to play a fast game, I like to get the puck going north quickly. I feel like transition is a big part of my game. If there's a time to jump in the play or create some offense, I want to do that, but I want to be considered an all-around defenseman and making sure I'm solid in all three zones."

The 6-feet-1, 207-pound Barberio is signed through next season at $750,000 and said he wants to "build a future" with the Avalanche. He had no goals, four assists, 10 penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating with Montreal, averaging 15:07 in ice time in 26 games.

Tampa Bay's sixth-round pick (No. 152) in 2008, Barberio played three seasons in the AHL, parts of three with the Lightning and parts of two with the Canadiens. He has eight goals, 23 assists and 60 penalty minutes in 159 NHL games.

Barberio was paired with Eric Gelinas, who has cleared waivers, in practice Friday, but Tyson Barrieleft early after power-play drills and Fedor Tyutin (groin) won't play against the Jets, so the lineup isn't set.

Erik Johnson, who sustained a broken fibula Dec. 3, skated by himself before practice. He skated all week, but there's still no timetable for his return. Rene Bourque (hip flexor) won't play Saturday, and Joe Colborne (ill) didn't practice.

Bednar said that Barrie "has some soreness" after playing back-to-back in Anaheim and Los Angeles. "I would say he's probable for (Saturday); he should be in," he said.

As for Barberio:

"I'm hoping he can help us move the puck out of our zone and help us on the power play as well," Bednar said. "He's a guy I know pretty well from when he was in the American League, coaching against him, and he can contribute on the power play, be a dangerous guy offensively. He moves the puck well, he skates real well. He's a little on the smaller side, but he can help us in some areas where we're in need. We're banged up on the back end and we need some help back there.

"Bringing in new guys can help light a fire. You saw we got a little bump ... a guy like Matt Nietocomes in and he's been a real good player for us. He's worked his way up the lineup and joined the power play and penalty kills, he makes plays. We're hoping for the same thing (from Barberio), a little bit of a spark, a little bit of quickness. We have to get incrementally better and if Barberio is a guy that can help us do that, we welcome him."  [/size]