Avs reassign four players

Twenty-something centers Justin Mercier and Evan Brophey were reassigned to the Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, and youngsters Garrett Meurs and Calvin Pickard are headed back to their Canadian Hockey League junior teams. All four played in last night’s exhibition opener at Dallas. Meurs, an 18-year-old center, was impressive in camp and even (plus-minus) last night, but awful young and small (5-11, 169). He was a fifth-round selection in June (123rd overall) from Plymouth of the OHL. Pickard, 19, will rejoin the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL as their top goalie. Pickard gave up two goals on eight shots last night. His anticipated demotion leaves the Avs with three goalies — Trevor Cann and the NHL 1-2 punch of Semyon Varlamov and J.S. Giguere. Cann and Varly are playing tonight.