Hours after practice Thursday, the Avalanche demoted 19-year-old rookie forward Mikko Rantanen to San Antonio of the American Hockey League.
The move likely will be good for Rantanen and good business for the Avs.
Second-year forward Dennis Everberg, who has five points (three goals) in three games with San Antonio, was called up to replace Rantanen. The Avs are carrying just 12 forwards.
"Everberg has played really well down there and deserves to come up," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said Thursday night.
Rantanen, the No. 10 overall pick in the June NHL draft, was pointless and minus-5 in six games with Colorado.