Rantanen, Grubauer, Donskoi return to Avalanche for Friday night tilt against Sharks
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar announced Friday morning that three of four players coming off the COVID-19 protocol-related absences list would play that night against the San Jose Sharks.
Top-line forward Mikko Rantanen, starting goaltender Philipp Grubauer and forward Joonas Donskoi, who is a goal away from tying his career high, were set to return.
“Not easy to come back in and pick up where you left off, but those guys have been putting in some good work,” Bednar said.
Rookie defenseman Bowen Byram had an injury setback and is week-to-week.
Bednar said previously that Rantanen’s absence had been due to contact tracing, but he was also “under the weather.” Andre Burakovsky filled in with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog in Rantanen’s absence.
“I’m happy to be back now and I feel pretty good,” Rantanen said.
Colorado Avalanche drop third straight against first-place Vegas Golden Knights
Avalanche notebook: Barron signed; Byram, O’Connor returns on hold
Air Force football opens fall practice with questions, particularly at quarterback
Brent Briggeman
brent-briggeman@midtc.com
Updated 16 hours ago
1 of 1Air Force quarterbacks Liam Szarka (9) and Josh Johnson (11) warm up during practice at the Holaday Athletic Center on March 1.The Gazette Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email...
Brent Briggeman
Reporter
Courtland Sutton ‘grateful’ after signing lucrative extension, seeks to continue Broncos ‘legacy’
Chris Tomasson
chris-tomasson@midtc.com
Updated 16 hours ago
1 of 1Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton hauls in a catch for a first down while being defended by Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford during the second quarter of an AFC wild-card playoff game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park,...
Chris Tomasson
Reporter
After ‘difficult’ situation following ACL injury, Broncos’ Delarrin Turner-Yell now ‘better as a player’
Chris Tomasson
chris-tomasson@midtc.com
Updated 16 hours ago
1 of 1Denver Broncos safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (32) celebrates a play with his teammates during a game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2023. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 24-9. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)...
Chris Tomasson
Reporter
How Nikola Jokic, Jonas Valanciunas have fared after international competitions | NBA Insider
Vinny Benedetto
vinny-benedetto@midtc.com
Updated 16 hours ago
1 of 3Nikola Jokic (15), of Serbia reacts after his bronze medal after a basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)Vinny Benedetto vinny.benedetto@gazette.com2 of 3Indiana Pacers guard...
Vinny Benedetto
Reporter
Air Force basketball adds Lawrence Rowley as assistant coach | Colorado Sunshine
Paul Klee
paul-klee@midtc.com
Updated 16 hours ago
1 of 1Air Force coach Joe Scott looks on from the sidelines during the first half of a game against Colorado State on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 at Moby Arena in Fort Collins.Tyler King, The Denver Gazette Facebook Twitter WhatsApp...
Paul Klee
Reporter
OLB Jonah Elliss, fully cleared from shoulder injury, explains second-year mindset | Broncos notebook
Kyle Fredrickson
kyle-fredrickson@midtc.com
Updated 16 hours ago
1 of 2Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss (52) walks off the field with an injury during the second quarter of the wild card playoff game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Jan. 12. The Broncos lost 31-7.Jerilee Bennett,...
Kyle Fredrickson
Reporter
Broncos coach Sean Payton relishes addition of physical linebacker Dre Greenlaw: ‘He plays like Mike Tyson’
Chris Tomasson
chris-tomasson@midtc.com
Updated 2 days ago
1 of 2Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw removes his helmet before warming up with the team during training camp on Friday, July 25, 2025. (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)Stephen Swofford, The Denver Gazette2 of 2Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) takes part...
Chris Tomasson
Reporter
‘Circle of life’: Rockies acknowledge more trades could follow McMahon’s move to Yankees
Kevin Henry Special to The Denver Gazette
kevin-henry-special-to-the-denver-gazette@midtc.com
Updated 2 days ago
1 of 3The grounds crew rolls out the tarp in anticipation of rain before a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland, Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Sue Ogrocki2 of 3New York Yankees' Ryan...
Inside linebackers Drew Sanders, Alex Singleton suffer training camp injuries | Broncos notebook
Kyle Fredrickson
kyle-fredrickson@midtc.com
Updated 2 days ago
1 of 1Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders warms up during Back Together Weekend at the team's NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)David Zalubowski Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link...
Kyle Fredrickson
Reporter
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton signs four-year, $92 million contract extension
Chris Tomasson
chris-tomasson@midtc.com
Updated 2 days ago
1 of 1Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton stretches during an NFL football practice Friday, July 25, 2025, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Mark Kiszla mark.kiszla@denvergazette.com Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save ENGLEWOOD — Broncos wide...
Chris Tomasson
Reporter