Wһаt Avѕ аre Doіng Durіng tһe 4 Nаtіonѕ Breаk

Four Avalanche players participating in the 4 Nations Face-Off, which starts on Wednesday, will not get to relax over the next week and a half. But most of the team is getting out of town to enjoy the break.

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Devon Toews and Artturi Lehkonen are playing in the event — three representing Team Canada and one for Team Finland, respectively. So no downtime for them.

Head coach Jared Bednar was headed to his ranch to enjoy some time away from the city and his job. But no matter where he goes, he will most likely check in on the tournament to see how his players are doing and how the competition is overall.

Ross Colton joked about working on a beach body while he was out on injury but he won’t be enjoying the warm sand during the break. Instead, he’s headed home to visit family in New Jersey.

“Just going home, gonna relax, see the family. Brother had a baby, so do the christening, which will be nice. So, excited for that,” Colton said.

The 28-year-old is religious (he discussed with me last season for another publication’s piece) and is proud and honored to be the godfather of his brother’s child.

While Colton enjoys family time, Casey Mittelstadt will be soaking up some sun down south.

“I’m just going to go to Florida for a few days and hang out. Nothing special but get some sun,” Mittelstadt said.

Mittelstadt won’t be the only Avalanche player in the Sunshine State. A couple others said they were headed there to enjoy the heat and beaches, which is perfect timing during an arctic chill in Denver.

Colorado’s new forwards may not have much time to vacation as they’ve barely had time to get settled in Denver. Martin Necas and Jack Drury were traded from the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen late Friday, Jan. 24 and were thrown right into action on the road in Boston the next day.

They returned from the three-game road trip on Jan. 29 and had their first practice in Colorado on Jan. 30 ahead of the matchup vs the St. Louis Blues on the 31st. Another day off in between and then a matinee game against the Philadelphia Flyers before going back on the road.

So it’s safe to say, they stuck around for some time to get things in order and get more comfortable in their new city.

It is a welcome time for some players who have been battling injuries to recover — like Miles Wood and Oliver Kylington.

The two weeks off give Valeri Nichushkin more time to get ready for a return, which is expected after the break, according to Bednar.

Even though the Avs who aren’t playing in the games will be resting, they won’t be completely shut off from their jobs. They will do some conditioning to be ready for action on Feb. 22 against the Nashville Predators.