Avs Send Mikko Rantanen Down to Minors

In somewhat of a surprise move, the Colorado Avalanche send tenth overall pick Mikko Rantanen to the AHL San Antonio Rampage. From the moment he was selected, fans speculated where the 18-year old Finnish prospect could best grow his game. At the completion of training camp, it appeared the Avs could rightfully justify keeping him with the big club; but six games into the season, averaging just 9:08 of ice time per game and zero points, it was time to give him some time with the AHL club.

Sakic: "We felt it was a good time for him to go down & play a lot. He needs to play a lot, quality min on the power play & penalty killing"

— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) October 22, 2015

Dennis Everberg spent the entire 2014-15 season with the Avalanche after being signed as a free agent from Sweden. Despite a low scoring total and ending the season on the injured list, Colorado fans took an instant liking to the big right wing and expected big things this year. Everberg was off to a hot start in the AHL, scoring 5 points (3g, 2a) in three games with San Antonio. GM Joe Sakic and Coach Patrick Roy now hope he can maintain his early momentum with the big club, who can also use his contributions on the penalty kill. It remains to be seen where he'll play in the Avalanche lineup, but it's easy to speculate he'll be in the group that's currently rotating to Duchene's LW from the 3rd line. We will see at practice the next couple of days what the team has in mind.