In somewhat of a surprising move, the Avalanche released center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare from his PTO on Thursday.

The 39-year-old was battling for positioning as the fourth-line center but the team has decided to look elsewhere. Parker Kelly, who was signed to a two-year deal has been getting a look at center as well as Ivan Ivan, who the team signed as an undrafted free agent last summer. The team also still has veteran center Chris Wagner with the team. He was also a candidate for the position at the start of training camp.

There’s also a possibility the team dips into the waiver wire over the next few days. Several players who are capable of filling a fourth-line center role will likely be placed on waivers by Monday.

Bellemare will be missed. His personality is something any dressing room would love to have. And he’s the most well-thought-out interview I’ve experienced in the NHL. I thought he fared well in limited preseason action.

The Avs’ forward group now looks something like this. They’ll have until Monday to submit their final roster.

Drouin — MacKinnon — Rantanen
Kovalenko — Mittelstadt — Ritchie
Wood – Colton – O’Connor
Kelly – Ivan – Kiviranta

Tynan, Wagner, Pavel
Landeskog, Nichushkin, Lehkonen