One way of replacing Mikko Rantanen makes the most sense for the Avs

The good news for the Avalanche is there are a few decent options for filling Mikko Rantanen’s position. Having options instead of being forced into a situation is a new look for this club.

The option that coach Bednar seems to be starting with via the lines at practice is J.T. Compher. Compher is a third-year player with the Avalanche and has been put in various situations on this team. Compher was also arguably one of the most-improved players last season. He has been put in pressure situations, as well, seeing time on the power play, penalty kill and in final minutes of games.

Compher is listed as a left winger, but he has played the at the center position. He will now play right wing with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. However, last season when Compher saw more than 15 minutes or so of ice time, he would see his production drop.

Another option available to Bednar is moving Andre Burakovsky to the top line. The Avalanche saw the hockey abilities of MacKinnon and Burakovsky together in an overtime situation. Burakovsky is arguably the second-best skater on the team and has shown this season that he has skills.

Moving Burakovsky to the top line brings up the next question who moves into his place? Most likely, that would mean moving Compher up to the second line or Tyson Jost back to the second line position he held before being moved to center. Either are functional and good options. Compher had chemistry with Joonas Donskoi when the season started, and we have see some sparks with Jost this season.

Donskoi also is pushing the limit for the possible options for the open top-line position. Donskoi is a talented winger, who is an NHL veteran on this young Avalanche club. He was moved from the third line to the second line at the beginning of the season when he began producing.

Donskoi is similar to Compher in that he is seeing time in most situations. He isn’t the flashiest player on this Avalanche club, but the skill he does bring to a line will get the job done no matter what situation he is placed in.

Jost, “Mr. Hat Trick,” is another option. He is a young player who has played with MacKinnon as well as Landeskog. Jost had chemistry with Landeskog when they played together in the past. This season, Jost scored the first hat trick of his career, playing his natural position as a center. When Jost is moved to the wing, he plays a different type of game, he is less likely to overthink the game when he is at center rather than wing.

No matter what Bednar does, the Avalanche will make it through missing Rantanen until he is back to full health. But seeing Burakovsky get a chance to play with MacKinnon and Landeskog is tantalizing. He has the hockey mind that fits with MacKinnon, as well as the speed.

Moving Burakovsky also keeps the strength of the other lines in place. Compher moving to line two might bring back some of the chemistry with Donskoi and continue the secondary scoring production that is needed with Rantanen out.