Martin Kaut returning to Avalanche

News out of Sweden this morning is that Martin Kaut has played his last game for MODO Hockey of Sweden’s Hockey Allsvensken league. As it stands now, Kaut has unofficially been recalled by the Avalanche from his loan with MODO. 

No official announcement has been made by Colorado, however, a source indicated that “they have already made it official here from our club (MODO) that he will not play anymore games for us.” Adding, “I think he is on his way to Colorado now.”

With loaned NHL players now slowly beginning to return to North America, this is a strong indication that the NHL is very close to returning to play, with the latest rumblings suggesting that training camps will begin in the final week of December.

Kaut wraps up an interesting stay over in Europe. Originally loaned in September to his former club, HC Dynamo Pardubice of his home country of the Czech Republic, after just four games and rapidly rising COVID-19 cases, the Avs pulled Kaut from Dynamo and loaned him to MODO Hockey in Sweden in late October. After a bout with a non-COVID-related illness, coupled with COVID-induced cancellations of games, Kaut was only able to skate in eight games with MODO. 

In the last month alone, seven out of the scheduled 11 games were cancelled for Kaut and his team.

With MODO, Kaut skated on the top line and found immediate chemistry with Florida Panthers prospect Aleksi Heponiemi. Kaut finished with three goals, five points and a plus-four in eight games with MODO. Despite playing half the games of those above him, Kaut finished fifth on the team in goals, eighth in points with the second-best plus-minus. 

“He’s been playing LW on the first line. First (power-play) unit, 17-18 min/gm,” the source said. “He’s had some great looks but didn’t seem to find the net that much, had some unlucky bounces too. Many shots of the iron.

“But overall he was among our best players every night. Took a lot of responsibility in all three zones. We will surely miss him.”