Rookie forwards continue to contribute for Colorado

The Avalanche, now tied with Columbus as the NHL’s youngest team, has a plethora of rookie forwards.

Previously injured rookie J.T. Compher returned to the lineup Thursday, replacing rookie Tyson Jost — who suffered an injury last game — as Colorado’s fourth-line center. And rookie Dominic Toninato, who was recalled from the minors Tuesday, replaced rookie A.J. Greer as the left winger on rookie center Alex Kerfoot’s line.

That’s five rookie forwards, but the Avs have actually used six this season: Vladislav Kamenev, who was acquired from Nashville in the Nov. 5 Matt Duchene trade, made his Avalanche debut Nov. 16 in a game he broke his arm and hasn’t played since.

The Avs’ healthy scratches against the San Jose Sharks were Greer and defenseman David Warsofsky.

On the mend.

Forward Sven Andrighetto and defenseman Tyson Barrie participated in Thursday’s morning skate and goalie Semyon Varlamov skated on his own. Each could return from injury and play as early as Saturday against the New York Rangers, but it’s more likely they’re held out until the beginning of a three-game road trip Monday at Toronto.

Andrighetto missed his sixth consecutive game Thursday with a leg injury and Barrie missed his ninth straight with a fractured hand. Varlamov suffered a groin area injury Jan. 2 and has missed the last five games.

Jost has a leg injury from inadvertently blocking a teammate’s shot in Monday’s 3-1 victory over Anaheim. He is day to day.

Footnotes.

The Avs and Columbus Blue Jackets have an average age of 26.5, youngest in the NHL. … Entering Thursday, Colorado’s power play was a sizzling 31.1 percent (14-of-45) in its previous 12 games. … San Jose has scored 20 power-play goals in its last 17 games, and had scored on the man-advantage in nine straight home games. … The Sharks are on a stretch that has them playing 14of-18 games outside San Jose. The Avs, after Saturday’s matinee against the Rangers, will play 13of-16 games outside Denver.