Colorado Avalanche Merry Go Round of Forwards

The Colorado Avalanche forwards are in some transition during the team’s long break between games.

Ok, so the Colorado Avalanche forwards aren’t really on a merry-go-round, especially when it comes to the core. However, there definitely has been some shuffling in the Avs roster.

The most significant move from an overall organizational standpoint is the loss of forward Ben Smith. It’s not that he was such an important part of the team, it’s that he’s no longer a part of the team at all.

The 28-year-old Ben Smith was one of several players Colorado acquired over the summer, ostensibly to fill out the San Antonio Rampage roster. However, he impressed enough at camp and during the preseason that he made the roster.

Smith seemed to slot in well on the fourth line, though his linemates changed. He often played with another new addition, Gabriel Bourque. Smith averaged around 10 minutes of ice time a night and managed just one shot in four games. (He was scratched for the Washington Capitals game.)

In any case, the Colorado Avalanche placed Ben Smith on waivers Sunday, most likely to make room for Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen has been with the Rampage on a conditioning stint after suffering an ankle injury in the Rookie Showcase. It was likely always the plan to send Smith down when Mikko was ready to return.

Unfortunately for the Colorado Avalanche, the Toronto Maple Leafs snapped Smith up off of waivers. Smith spent last season with Toronto, playing 16 games and earning six points (2 goals, 4 assists).

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I’m not sure why Toronto picked him up when they had him to begin with. Why didn’t they just sign him over the summer if they thought he was a player who belonged with their team? Plus, if they want to send him to their minor league affiliate, he’ll have to clear waivers.

At which point the Colorado Avalanche can pull an Anaheim Ducks (à la Chris Wagner) and pick their player back up.

On the flip side, a player is returning. Center John Mitchell has been out since training camp with a hip flexor injury. According to Mitchell himself,  the injury flared up in training camp and kept lingering. He tried to push through the pain, but eventually the training staff advised him to “shut it down and let it fully heal.”

Mitchell has been cleared to play. He’s a solid bottom-six centerman with a lot of good physicality. He’s a great faceoff guy and sees time on the penalty kill.

There’s no telling where Mitchell will fit into the lineup. Jared Bednar had this to say of the situation:

“Time will tell. We’re still trying to figure that out with a lot of our guys, I think, and find some combinations that work for us consistently.”

I guess for Bednar, it is a bit of a merry-go-round.

Anyway, the most exciting news is that Mikko Rantanen should be returning soon. He was the Avalanche’s 10th-overall pick in 2015 — their best pick since Nathan MacKinnon, in my opinion.

Here’s what Denver Post writer Mike Chambers had to say about Rantanen’s return:

Rantanen played in the adult league in his native Finland even as a teenager. He transitioned to professional right after being drafted and appeared in nine games with the Colorado Avalanche last season. He spent the majority of the year with San Antonio, though, and even won rookie of the year in the AHL.

I was at the Rookie Showcase game where Rantanen got injured, and I can tell you he was angry to get hurt. Mikko wants to make the big team this year, and that was a setback.

Luckily it looks like just a temporary setback. Ranty was very impressive in that game. In four games with the Rampage this year, he recorded two assists. Whether or not he plays in the next game probably depends on how he does in practices.

Next: Checking in with Avs Free Agents

The Colorado Avalanche have a lengthy break between games, which is a blessing. This gives Bednar time to sort out his forwards. It also allows Mitchell and Rantanen (when he returns) time to get comfortable with their new roles again.

It’s too soon to know how the forward situation will play out since the Avs don’t play again until Friday. However, with the loss of Ben Smith, either Mitchell or Rantanen must join the lineup.