Avalanche Sakic and Roy Presser: What Does it Mean?

2015 NHL Draft

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

During the season the Colorado Avalanche let the team’s amateur scout, Rick Pracey, go. One of the reason’s that coach Roy gave was that Pracey “had no vision.” Pracey kep suggesting the Avs draft the same type of player over and over — small, speedy, offensively gifted. As such, Colorado is now hurting in the depth charts.

Coach Roy made it sound as if the Avs would draft for need over best player available in the 2015 NHL Draft. However, that may have just been my read because the Avs said during the presser that they’re going to select “the best player available” with their #10 pick. Sakic about the draft:

Right wing Timo Meier is currently scouted in the #10 position for North American skaters. It might be worth noting that’s also the player whom the Avalanche website did a prospect report on first.

What does it mean?  

I’ve been saying I thought the Avalanche would select a forward first round even though most people perceive the team as needing more help on defense. I’ve also been looking at sizable players because coach Roy has said he likes the idea of selecting 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 centers.

Patrick Roy may show me not to be as great an Avs Whisperer as I thought if the team selects defenseman Ivan Provorov or Zachary Werensky or smallish forward Mitchell Marner. All three players are scouted above the #10 selection so could potentially be the “best player available” when the Avs’ pick comes up. If that’s the case, the Avalanche may be selecting big forwards with their second round pick. I had them choosing a defenseman. I’m more curious than ever now about the 2015 NHL Draft.