Colorado Avalanche: An Early Look At First Round Draft Options

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Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Conner Bleackley poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number twenty-three overall pick to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

As sad as it is for us, the fans of the team that won the Central Division this past season, the playoffs are virtually out of reach this year. With ten games left to play, the Colorado Avalanche sits ten points behind the Winnipeg Jets, who currently own the second wild card spot.

Out of those ten games, nine are against Western Conference rivals. Out of those nine, six are against current playoff teams, and one is against the defending champion from California — the LA Kings. Even if we beat half of them, on top of the supposedly easier games against the bottom teams from Edmonton (twice, including tonight, March 25, 2015) and Buffalo, it just does not seem realistic.

Therefore, it is time to take an early look at the draft, while we are still hoping for the team to somehow achieve the impossible — get in the playoffs.

D Zach Werenski (University of Michigan, NCAA)

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The 17-year-old defenceman from the University of Michigan is one of the younger players in this years draft. However, he does not play like one. Werenski plays a very mature game in both ends of the rink. So far he has recorded nine goals and 25 points in 35 games and is a +9. The 6-foot-1, 214-pound defenceman also knows how to use his body and how to deliver hits. Werenski has only recorded eight penalty minutes so far this season.

Scouting report by Curtis Joe from EliteProspects:

A smooth-skating, puck-moving defenceman that has a strong understanding of the game. Excels in key situations and is able to execute under pressure. Possesses good vision and awareness on the ice; uses his abilities to put offensive and defensive pressure on the opposition. All-in-all, a very strong all-around defenceman that consistently brings his game every night.

NHL potential: Top-pairing two-way defenceman

NHL comparison: Jack Johnson

D Jeremy Roy (Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL)

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Jeremy Roy is another young two-way defenceman. The right-hand-shot stands out in the offensive zone, with his elite awareness, vision and playmaking-skills. All that has helped him to 38 assists and five goals in 46 games this season. Roy plays a very intelligent all-around game, in the defensive end, as well as on offence.

Scouting report by Curtis Joe (EliteProspects):

Jeremy Roy is a gifted two-way defenceman that establishes his presence on the ice through playing authoritative hockey, with and without the puck. His absolute and total awareness of other players’ positions on the ice is a testament to his incredible knowledge of the game. Roy possesses the intangibles of maturity and character that can’t be taught, as well as the individual skill that turns heads every time he is on the ice. All-in-all, a highly intelligent defenceman that plays high-percentage hockey and is a catalyst for positive plays in all three zones.

NHL potential: Top-pairing two-way defenceman

NHL comparison: Ryan Suter

D Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)

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An offensive defenceman, Ivan Provorov has been improving more and more as the season went on, shooting up the draft rankings. The Russian helped his Wheat Kings to the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (regular season champions) with 15 goals and 61 points in 60 games. With a 6-foot, 200-pound frame, he is a big presence on the ice. Provorov is a gifted skater with great positioning in his own end.

Scouting report by Curtis Joe (EliteProspects):

An offensively gifted defenceman who can direct the game’s pace when the puck is on his stick. Provorov is a quick and agile skater with an accurate release on his shot, which he can get off anywhere below the blue line; creates many chances on the power play and can even create offense during the penalty kill. Is an adroit and creative passer who knows how to use his teammates well. All-in-all, a complete defenceman who knows how goals are scored and executes accordingly.

NHL potential: Top-pairing offensive defenceman

NHL comparison: Oliver Ekman-Larsson

RW Mikko Rantanen (HC TPS, SM-Liiga)

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Mikko Rantanen is a huge playmaking forward. He is listed at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds and has recorded nine goals and 28 points in 56 games this season — which is impressive, considering that he plays in a men’s league. Rantanen is extremely skilled and has an outstanding hockey-sense that will allow him to be an elite NHL forward once he learns how to use his big frame properly.

Scouting report by Curtis Joe (EliteProspects):

An exceptionally talented playmaker and always a consistent threat on the ice; Rantanen is a combination of elite-level hockey sense, silky smooth hands, and nimble skating. Needs to improve his shot and physical play, as he doesn’t take advantage of his size in many situations. All-in-all, an intelligent, big-bodied forward that oozes skill.

NHL potential: 1st line winger

NHL comparison: Corey Perry

RW Timo Meier (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

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Swiss Timo Meier is a big winger that can excel in any situation. He possesses great hockey-sense and skill and knows how to score. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound forward has recorded 44 goals and 90 points in 61 games this season. It is hard to separate Meier from the puck, as he knows how to use his body to protect it.

Scouting report by Curtis Joe (EliteProspects):

A physically dominant winger with the ability to play in a skill or character role. In the offensive end, Meier is very aware and gets himself into spaces where he can easily make seeing eye passes or snap hard, accurate shots. Can impact the game in a number of different ways, and is very consistent in his efforts. All-in-all, the kind of versatile player that you can put on a skill line, and trust to create dangerous chances, or on a shutdown line, and trust to help stop pucks from going into your net.

NHL potential: 1st line winger

NHL comparison: Joe Pavelski

C Pavel Zacha (Sarnia Sting, OHL)

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Another big forward, Pavel Zacha has played only one season in North America, as he started his professional career with Bili Tygri Liberec in the Czech Republic. Zacha is a physical forward that has a lethal shot. Add his elite hockey-sense and passing ability, and you have a forward that NHL teams drool over. He has recorded 16 goals and 34 points in a season that was shortened to 36 games due to injury.

Scouting report by Curtis Joe (EliteProspects):

Pavel Zacha is an offensively dynamic center with the size, speed, and skill to make a significant impact on the game. He can play physical, but is at his best when using his high-end offensive abilities, such as his shot, stickhandling, and footspeed, to generate numbers in the opposition’s end of the ice. All-in-all, Zacha is a lethal weapon that can be depended upon to create, and finish, dangerous scoring chances whenever he is on the ice.

NHL potential: Top-six centre

NHL comparison: Milan Lucic

Other Options

D Oliver Kylington (Färjestad, SHL)
Kylington is NHL Central Scouting’s #1 European skater. He started the season as a projected top five pick, but fell farther and farther down most rankings. Two-way defenceman with top-four potential.

D Brandon Carlo (Tri-City Americans, WHL)
The up-and-coming defenceman from the Dub. Big player that can throw his body around. Physical defenceman with top-four potential.

C Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL)
One of the many top-centres in the WHL. Great playmaker that has to grow bigger and improve his goal-scoring. Playmaking centre with top-six potential.

C Nick Merkley (Kelowna Rockets, WHL)
Another centre from the Dub. Merkley has incredible stickhandling and playmaking abilities but also knows how to bury the puck in the net. He needs to get better in his decision-making to succeed on an NHL top-line. Playmaking centre with top-four potential.

C Jansen Harkins (Prince George Cougars, WHL)
Harkins has led the Cougars into the playoffs for the first time in four years. The centre is great in all three zones and has been shooting up the draft boards throughout the season. He needs to improve his shot. Two-way centre with top-four potential.

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