ROY, SAKIC BACK ON THE RED WINGS’ ICE

detroit » After playing the night before at Ottawa, the Avalanche didn’t have a regular game- morning skate at Joe Louis Arena on Friday. But coach Patrick Roy and general manager Joe Sakic took to the ice during the visiting team slot to continue preparations for the Avalanche- Red-Wings alumni game at Coors Field on Feb. 26.

Backup goalie Calvin Pickard also was on the ice briefly, but Sakic and Roy primarily were out with scratched defensemen Zach Redmond and Nate Guenin, plus assistant coach Tim Army.

“Joe looked good,” Roy said Friday night before the game against the Red Wings. “We had a good time with the guys. ... We had fun. We just enjoyed being there, and to me it’s fun to be on the ( ice at) Joe Louis Arena. It brings a lot of memories.”

Then he alluded to his famous goalie fights with Mike Vernon and Chris Osgood.

“I try not going in the center ice, but stay more in the crease this time,” Roy said.

Roy has been on the ice in goalie gear a handful of times in recent weeks.

“I have to work in close,” he said. “The long shots, I’m fine. It’s the in- close plays that I’m struggling with. I’m about 30 pounds heavier than my last game, and it’s tougher. But, hey, I’m not going to play NHL, I’m going to play a retired game.”

Waiver world. Guenin again was placed on waivers Friday, but Roy said nothing had changed with the veteran defenseman’s status and that he would remain with the team for the time being.

Guenin also was waived Jan. 13 and cleared, enabling Colorado to send him to San Antonio of the AHL if it wanted to, but that window lasted 30 days. So he was waived again, and he would clear waivers at 10 a. m. MST on Saturday.

“It’s nothing major,” Roy said. “It’s the same thing as last time. Nothing’s going to happen for now. This just gives us more flexibility if something happens.”