NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Avalanche rookie defenseman Andrei Mironov hasn’t played since opening night, when he logged 11 minutes, 24 seconds in a shaky NHL debut at the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Russian will be a healthy scratch for the sixth consecutive game Tuesday when Colorado takes on the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.
So why is Mironov still with the Avs, instead of developing for their American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio?
With the Avs, Mironov is surrounded by three fellow Russians in forward Nail Yakupov, defenseman Nikita Zadorov and goalie Semyon Varlamov. They help him understand how to play on the NHL-size rink — particularly Zadorov, who plays the same position.