Bo Byram was born four days after the Avalanche last won the Stanley Cup in 2001.
Nearly 20 years later, the Avs’ rookie defenseman has been cleared to play a potential role in the current postseason run that began with a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues.
Byram, 19, hasn’t played since March 25, when he absorbed an unpenalized hit to the head from Vegas Golden Knights winger Keegan Kolesar. But after two months of uncertainty and setbacks with concussion protocol, the Avs’ first of two 2019 first-round draft picks (No. 4 overall) could make his NHL playoff debut before his 20th birthday on June 13.
“It’s been a winding road to where I am now, but I’m just happy to be feeling 100 percent again,” Byram said Wednesday after practice in his first interview in more than two months. “It was frustrating being out so long. But now just being back, being around the guys, being around them on the ice again, you just really appreciate that. Definitely thankful for feeling good again, feeling healthy, and just looking forward to the playoffs here and hopefully the boys can keep going.”
Byram, who played in 19 of the Avs’ first 32 regular-season games, practiced Wednesday with Jacob MacDonald on a fourth pairing. The top-six defensemen from the first-round series against the Blues also practiced after the team had Monday off and an optional skate Tuesday.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar did not speak to reporters Wednesday but will likely discuss where Byram stands on the depth chart and when he might crack the lineup in the coming days.
Colorado will set its schedule for the rest of the week after Game 6 of the Minnesota-Vegas series Wednesday night. The Avs play the winner of that series, and if the Golden Knights win Game 6 to advance to the second round, Game 1 against the Avs could begin as early as Friday, but more likely over the weekend. If the Wild force a Game 7, the Avs’ next series could begin as late as Monday at Ball Arena.
Off the hook. Rookie forward Alex Newhook, the Avs’ second 2019 first-round draft pick (16th overall), has also been cleared to play. Newhook left early in Sunday’s Game 4 victory at St. Louis with a back injury. He said he did not practice Wednesday for precautionary reasons.
“Getting better every day. Just a maintenance day,” Newhook, 20, said during practice. “We have some time off. We’re lucky in that aspect. Trying to use the time to our advantage and clear everything up.”
Newhook completed his sophomore season at Boston College in March before signing his NHL entry-level contract. Sampo Ranta, another Avalanche rookie forward who played in this year’s NCAA Tournament, replaced Newhook as the left winger on the fourth line Wednesday.
Ranta, who turns 21 Monday, signed after his junior season at Minnesota. He has yet to make his NHL debut but could become an option for the Avs given where he practiced Wednesday.
Footnotes. The Avs’ extra forwards Wednesday were Nazem Kadri (suspended) and Kiefer Sherwood. Kadri is scheduled to appeal his eight-game suspension with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday. … Colorado signed forward Alex Beaucage on Wednesday. The 19-year-old was taken in the third round of the 2019 draft (78th overall). He had 28 points (17 goals) in 22 games for two Quebec major-junior teams this past season. … In what could be a weeklong break between games, the Avs have full access to the Ball Arena ice sheet this week because the Nuggets are in Portland for Games 3 and 4 against the Trail Blazers on Thursday and Saturday.
