The Avalanche recalled a 2018 first-round draft choice from the AHL on Tuesday morning in response to a recent surge of injuries.
One problem: Forward Martin Kaut, who will make his NHL debut Wednesday at Pepsi Center against the New York Islanders, is not the hockey savior expected to buoy the Avs through adversity over the final 24 regular-season games. Kaut, 20, has a pedestrian 42 points (17 goals) in two seasons with the Colorado Eagles.
“(Kaut) has been working toward this for a year-and-a-half,” coach Jared Bednar said. “We saw a significant improvement in his play from last year’s training camp to this year’s training camp.