Avalanche won't burn 1st year of Rantanen's contract

Mikko Rantanen won't play in the NHL again this season.

The Colorado Avalanche prospect will not appear in his 10th game of 2015-16, and, as a result, the club won't be on the hook for the first year of his entry-level contract.

"We're not going to burn a year, first of all. He will start next year," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic told Mike Chambers of The Denver Post.

Sakic added that a potential expansion draft and the rules about protecting young players are factors in the decision.

"(Expansion rules) can change, it (has) to be negotiated, but in his first two years he would be treated like a junior player. From our understanding, but not 100 percent, the first two years he won't be exposed so you don't have to protect them.

"So you can protect your other guys. If expansion (starts) in another year he would be a one-year pro, not a two. If we have to protect him, that's a guy we'll protect. You only (have) so many players to protect."

Shortly after Sakic's comments, the Avalanche made it official.

Rantanen failed to record a point in nine games with Colorado this season, but racked up 21 goals and 52 points in 44 games with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage.

The Avalanche signed him to a three-year entry-level deal last July after selecting him 10th overall in the 2015 draft.