I just felt like a picture of a cat. And we all need hugs at this time of year, right?

Despite the fact we still don’t have NHL hockey for the holiday season, there are some Avalanche players in action. Paul Stastny has played two more games since I last updated, and he has earned four more points (1g/3a). EHC Redbull Munchen has also announced that both Statsny and Wheeler have extended their contracts to last until the end of the lockout (they had previously expired today). Stastny, the article said, will be heading home to be with his girlfriend and family for Christmas and the New Year. I know that his girlfriend runs a store in Denver (Haley’s Heart, they have some very cool stuff), so there’s a good chance you could spot #26 in the next couple of days if you’re in the Denver area.

Semyon Varlamov has recovered from his leg injury and is back to playing for Lokomotiv of the KHL. He won his first game back, showing that his injury has not slowed him down. In today’s game, he was called in to relieve Curtis Sanford during the third period. (Sanford let in five goals, and Varls let in zero in his brief stint in the net.) His save percentage and goals against average are tops in the KHL currently. Ryan O’Reilly, also in the KHL now, has played three games for his new team. He has scored two goals and two assists in only three games. (For the love of Joe Sakic, please re-sign him when the NHL is back on, Greg Sherman!)

Matt Duchene has five points in three games for Ambri-Piotta (2 goals, 1 primary assist, 2 secondary assists.) It appears the change of scenery has only improved Duchene’s scoring streak. Ryan O’Byrne has not added any points in the past couple of games for the Florida Everblades, but he does have a plus/minus of +4.