Andy Cross / The Denver Post)
DENVER — As Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic last week said would happen, Colorado Monday afternoon recalled winger Mikko Rantanen from what amounted to a rehabilitation stint with San Antonio of the American Hockey League.
Rantanen, Colorado's first-round draft choice in 2015 and the American Hockey League's rookie of the year last season, suffered an ankle injury Sept. 17 and didn't play in any Colorado exhibition games. He had no goals and two assists in four games with the Rampage.
Earlier in the day, center Ben Smith, placed on waivers Sunday for the purpose of assigning him to the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League, was claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs.