Avalanche veterans are getting an early start on training camp.

Almost the entire veteran roster for the Avs took part in an informal practice Tuesday afternoon, following the second day of Avs rookie camp.

Newcomer Jarome Iginla traded line rushes with Matt Duchene, and Nathan MacKinnon showed off his bigger physique from a summer of heavy workouts.

It used to be players took until the very last day of summer before coming to their NHL city to prepare for training camp. Now, most players start skating together daily at least a week before the start.

Some Avs regulars who couldn’t play in the postseason because of injury, including Alex Tanguay and John Mitchell, were part of the group skating Tuesday. Iginla, wearing his longtime No. 12, has been in Denver since last month.

Regular Avs training camp begins Friday at Family Sports Center.

As for the rookies, they participated in a 90-minute session overseen by assistant coaches such as Andre Tourigny, Tim Army and Adam Foote. Rookie camp concludes Wednesday, and players will report to the Pepsi Center on Thursday morning for physicals and other fitness testing.

Adrian Dater: adater@denverpost.com or twitter.com/adater