Colorado Avalanche return Martin Kaut to the AHL

Ahead of their trip out West, the Colorado Avalanche have announced a few roster moves. The team will be returning rookie Martin Kaut to the Eagles, while forward Sheldon Dries and defender Kevin Connauton have been recalled from the AHL.

The move isn’t unexpected as the Avalanche sent Kaut down after only eight NHL games in order to preserve the first year of his entry-level contract. Doing it now, gives the team flexibility in case they want to dress him one more time later in the season as an injury replacement. Kaut has performed well in his eight games scoring twice and adding an assist.

Dries has already played three NHL games this season and has notched three goals and three assists in 43 total games with the Avalanche over the last two seasons. In addition, the 25-year old currently leads the Eagles with 21 goals in 49 games, while his 35 points are tied for second on the team.

Connauton returns to the Avalanche after appearing in one game with Colorado earlier this season. He will be brought on the road trip as the seventh defender since Cale Makar is set to stay back in Denver while he recovers from his upper body injury.

Colorado’s next game is Friday night in Vancouver, followed by a trip through California.