The Avalanche have announced that forwards will be sent to AHL Colorado. While this move frees up their combined $1.62 million cap hit, it doesn’t fully address the team’s LTIR situation or create additional cap space for the moment, making it somewhat puzzling. Nevertheless, both players are expected to be added back to the roster before Wednesday’s game against the Bruins, bringing the Avs to 12 healthy forwards.
For Wagner, 33, this is a quick shift after playing in the last two games following his recall on Saturday. He can return to the Eagles without needing to clear waivers since he did so at the end of preseason. However, he has now used up two of his 10 game appearances or six of his 30 days on the active roster before he would need them again for an AHL assignment.
In his brief time with the Avalanche, Wagner averaged just 6:36 of ice time in their recent losses to the Blue Jackets and Islanders, which is a career low. The versatile forward went 3-for-6 in faceoffs, recorded a -1 rating, and contributed three shots on goal and three hits, but didn’t register any points besides a minor penalty. Since joining the Avs as a free agent in 2023, he has one goal and one assist in 15 games.
Ivan, 22, is significantly younger than Wagner and has been sent down for the third time since making Colorado’s NHL opening-night roster. All these moves have been paper transactions, and he has played in all three of the team’s losses this season. The undrafted free agent from QMJHL Cape Breton has one assist and a -1 rating so far, averaging 9:22 of ice time per game in his NHL debut.
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