Jimmy Vesey’s and Ryan Lindgren’s first practice with the Avalanche was high energy but a little rough with the altitude adjustment. The two were traded from the New York Rangers on Saturday and hopped right into action on Sunday.
“First, foremost, really excited to be here. I went to the rink yesterday in New York, Chris Drury told me I got traded here. And obviously a lot of emotions go on, but find out you’re coming to Colorado, and what a great team they have here.
“I talked a little bit, me and Jim with Bedsy (Jared Bednar), and did some video, and went over systems. That’s kind of it for the most part. But I think they just want us to come in, play our game and try to help the team as much as possible,” Lindgren said after practice.
The 27-year-old blueliner had 19 points in 54 games and averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game with the Rangers. Head coach Jared Bednar is working on where he will slot in but said both players will shift around.
Vesey and Lindgren know a few players already — both are friends with Casey Mittelstadt — which makes the transition a little easier. Both are excited to be part of a team expected to at least make the playoffs and possibly go deep into the postseason.
“I’ve played most of my career in the East, so only played these guys twice a year, but you just look at the roster and the names on the roster, it’s a lot of star power, a lot of high-end talent and really fast, skilled team. This team is a big-time contender, and I’m pumped to be here.
“He (Bednar) spent a lot of time with me and Lindy (Lindgren) this morning, going over some stuff on video. There’s still more to do, but he’s been very communicative so far and trying to help me out a lot with the penalty kill today. So I’m going to try to take in as much information as I can over the next few days and be ready to go when I get in,” Vesey said.
In addition to the Rangers, the veteran Vesey, 31, has played for the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils in his nine NHL seasons.
Both players said the Rangers’ system is not much different from the Avalanche’s system, which should help them acclimate quickly.
“They’re asking the right questions. I didn’t want to overload them this morning. I’ll continue to talk to them about some of the subtle differences, but I just wanted them to get the nuts and bolts and then go out and practice,” Bednar said. “But there’s enough similarities there, and they’ve played some different systems, even in New York, with different coaches too. So I think veteran guys have been around, they can understand the changes that make the adjustments.”
Bednar said it is nice to have a few days for them to settle in and learn the new system before playing on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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