The Avalanche, losers of four of its last five games heading into Saturday’s matinee against the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center, will retain center John Mitchell, who cleared waivers Saturday morning.
Mitchell, 31, was placed on waivers Thursday in a move designed to get out of his contract. Since he was not claimed by another team, he could be sent down to the Rampage in the next 30 days without going through waivers again, so the stratagem also would give the Avalanche flexibility.
Mitchell is pointless in four games. He stepped in the lineup last week after missing the first five games with a hip injury.