The Colorado Avalanche: News from around the NHL - October 4th, 2013

Patrick Roy was fined $10,000.

"I guess I have to change a few things. I got the $10,000 fine by the league for that," Roy said after practice. "I understand it now. At the same time, I will always defend my players."

And that’s appreciated.

"It just shows that he cares about his players a lot," said MacKinnon, the No. 1 pick in the draft over the summer. "He’s very passionate and he’ll stand up for what he believes in and not really think about the circumstances or the criticism."

Even a day later, Roy was still a little bit worked up.

The Canadiens took a trip to Lac-Megantic.

The Montreal Canadiens held a practice in the disaster-stricken town of Lac-Megantic, Que., in a show of support Thursday for the community.

The Habs rolled into town on a bus whose passengers included team owner Geoff Molson and general manager Marc Bergevin.

"Driving down the road, you take a deep breath. It’s hard, it’s hard to see it," Molson said.

"But at the same time the people are here today, and they’re happy, and it looks like the city is being rebuilt so that gives me pleasure at the same time."

Dominic Moore talked recently about playing in the NHL again since his wife passed away.

Thursday was the first day of the rest of Dominic Moore’s interrupted hockey life. And it was the first of many the 33-year-old Rangers center said he would cherish.

"I have nothing but appreciation for being able to play again and be back as part of the team, especially this team," Moore told The Post following the morning skate in advance of Thursday’s opener against the Coyotes. "I’m obviously excited, but at the same time there’s some element of uncertainty regarding how things are going to go, but that’s totally expected.

"All my feelings are kind of hard to describe, to be honest. I guess in a sense I compartmentalize."

CBC.ca is remember Dan Snyder.

The 10^th anniversary of Snyder's death is on Saturday. He passed away in a coma six days after he suffered severe head trauma in a single-car accident. He was in the passenger seat of a Ferrari 360 Modesta driven by his teammate Dany Heatley that crashed into a brick pillar and iron-rod fence. The tragedy occurred hours after Snyder found out he had made the Thrashers opening-day roster at age 25.

The odds were stacked against Snyder making it to the NHL. He was a scrawny teenager, even in his last season of junior in Owen Sound. He didn't possess an alluring scoring touch. He lacked the impressive speed smaller players need.

Bryzgalov is trying to find a hockey home.

Former NHL goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is taking his talents to the East Coast Hockey League.

The 'AA' professional league's Las Vegas Wranglers are about to sign the eccentric netminder, according to multiple reports. He has passed a physical and will now try out for the club.

Bryzgalov, 33, last played for the Philadelphia Flyers. His nine-year, $51-million contract, signed in 2011, was bought out this summer.