2015 NHL Draft: Top 5 Avalanche 4th Round Picks

Evgeni Nazarkin, Defenseman

Age: 18 (10-21-1996)

Shoots: Left

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 205 pounds

Current Team: Chelyabinsk 2 (Russia Jr.)

European skaters are wild cards. Defenseman Evgeni Nazarkin of the Russian Junior league is actually ranked at #50 for European skaters, but he could well still be available at #101.

Nazarkin played 50 games with the Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk last season, scoring three goals and earning a total of 21 points. He also played for Russia’s Under-20 team at the IIHF World Junior competitions.

Nazarkin is big and has the ability to make plays. He’ll probably stay in Russia at least another year, but he could be a worthy gamble for the Avalanche’s fourth round pick.