With MacKinnon hurt, Avalanche recall Rantanen

The Colorado Avalanche have tapped their contingency scorer.

Mikko Rantanen, the Avalanche's 10th-overall draft selection last summer, was recalled by the club Saturday, ostensibly in response to Nathan MacKinnon's questionable injury status.

MacKinnon suffered an apparent knee injury late in Colorado's comeback win over the Calgary Flames, and will be re-evaluated Sunday.

Matt Duchene is also absent from the Avalanche's top six. He's dealing with a knee injury and is considered day to day.

Rantanen made the Avalanche out of camp, but was sent down to San Antonio of the American Hockey League after failing to impact through six starts.

Since then, he's perhaps been the most dominant farmhand in the AHL, scoring 21 goals, contributing 1.18 points per game, and ascending to fourth in league scoring with 52 points.

Rantanen will burn the first year of his entry-level contract should he appear in four games down the stretch.