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Mikko Rantanen poised to resume NHL career for the Avalanche

Center Nathan MacKinnon and winger Mikko Rantanen — the Avalanche’s first-round draft picks from 2013 and 2015, respectively — are practicing Tuesday on a line with left wing Mikhail Grigorenko, a Buffalo Sabres’ first-round pick in 2012. At age 22, Grigorenko is the oldest of the three. MacKinnon is 21 and Rantanen is 19.

Rantanen rejoined the Avs after playing four games in the American Hockey League in what was generally a conditioning assignment. He injured his right ankle in rookie camp and did not participate in training camp or play in any NHL preseason games. Colorado expects big things from the Finn, who was co-winner of the AHL rookie-of-the-year award last spring after leading the San Antonio Rampage in scoring.