2015 NHL Mock Draft: from a Colorado Avalanche Perspective

Picks 20-30

#20: Minnesota Wild, center/right wing Travis Konecny

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 172 pounds

Elite Prospects scouts forward Travis Konecny as being “willing to do anything to win a game.” Perhaps that includes getting dirty, which the Minnesota Wild will appreciate. The team has also been making a move toward small and speedy — Konecny is just that. He’s also not afraid to get physical — Minnesota fans will love that.

So will Cody McLeod.

#21: Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis Blues), defenseman Jeremy Roy

Height/weight: 6-foot, 183 pounds

Defenseman Jeremy Roy is scouted to go as high as #10. If he’s still available for their second pick, from the St. Louis Blues, the Buffalo Sabres are likely to snap him up. He’s a skilled two-way defenseman who might take a little time to mature, but he’ll get there for the Sabres.

#22: Washington Capitals, defenseman Jakub Zboril

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds

The Washington Capitals are not far off from a team that can go all the way. Therefore, they can afford to build depth that might take a few years to mature. Defenseman Jakub Zboril isn’t going to crack the NHL his first year, but he’ll eventually bring speed and offensive prowess.

#23: Vancouver Canucks, left wing Paul Bittner

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 194 pounds

The Vancouver Canucks have an aging top-six. They’re going to pick the best forward talent available. Left wing Paul Bittner could go as high as #17. He’s big and relentless with a rocket shot from the point. Vancouver will want to groom him for an eventual top-six role.

#24: Toronto Maple Leafts (from Nashville Predators), defenseman Thomas Chabot

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 181 pounds

If nothing else, new Toronto coach Mike Babcock has vision. He’ll see that the Toronto Maple Leafs need to keep building depth that will come up in later years. Defenseman Thomas Chabot isn’t big, but he’s a smart player who can move the puck.

#25: Winnipeg Jets (from Buffalo Sabres via New York Islanders), left wing Jake DeBrusk

Height/weight: 6-foot, 176 pounds

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Left wing Jake DeBrusk is another hard worker. He’s a competitive player willing to do battle wherever a team needs him. He’ll eventually be a good fit for the Jets.

#26: Montreal Canadiens, defenseman Gabriel Carlsson

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 183 pounds

Defenseman Gabriel Carlsson out of Sweden is ranked second among European skaters by NHL.com. Eventually someone has to notice that, and it might be the Montreal Canadiens. While Carlsson will have to spend a year or two learning the North American style, the Canadiens have the time to wait — their team is very competitive already.

#27 Tampa Bay Lightning (from New York Rangers), defenseman Jakob Larsson

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 191 pounds

The Tampa Bay Lightning traded away their own first-round pick, but they’ve got the New York Rangers’. Since the Bolts are probably feeling pretty good about their forwards, they might just give an outlier defenseman a shot. NHL.com has Swedish two-way defenseman Jakob Larsson ranked third for European skaters.

#28: Arizona Coyotes (from Chicago Blackhawks), edefenseman Nicolas Meloch

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 198 pounds

When the Coyotes get to pick again, they might go for a defenseman this time. Nicolas Meloche is a smooth skater with offensive upside. He’s not afraid to get physical either.

#29: Philadelphia Flyers (from Tampa Bay Lightning), center Alexander Dergachyov

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 201 pounds

Too bad the Bolts are doing so well this season. However, with their spare pick, the Philadelphia Flyers are probably still going to go for big and physical. Center Alexander Dergachyov is a bruiser of a forward with grit who can still handle the puck.

#30: Anaheim Ducks, left wing Jordan Greenway

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 225 pounds

The Anaheim Ducks, like the Colorado Avalanche, prize big skaters. Left wing Jordan Greenway is a powerful forward who uses his size to make his presence known on the ice. He needs some refinement. However, considering I have the Anaheim Ducks winning the Stanley Cup this season, they can afford to wait for him.

Next: Lawson Crouse Draft Profile

Picks 20-30

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