Colorado Avalanche History: Top 5 Draft Picks

6 of 6

1. Alex Tanguay, #12 in 1998

Mar 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Alex Tanguay (40) with his son Samuel is honored for his 1000th game played before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

This is not a mistake. Consider this — Alex Tanguay scored the game-winning goal in the 2001 Game 7 Stanley Cup playoff game against the New Jersey Devils. Scratch that — he scored the Cup-winning goal for the Colorado Avalanche. Stanley Cup kind of trumps everything else.

Though a veteran now, Tanguay is still contributing. He has the most accurate shot in the NHL (well, his shooting percentage is the best). He used that shot to score 22 goals and earn 33 assists for 55 points this season.

Though he hasn’t played his entire career with the Colorado Avalanche, Tanguay has spent eight seasons with the team. Except for last season when he was injured, Tanguay has never earned fewer than 48 points for the Avs — and some seasons he’s been in the 60s and 70s.

It all comes down to that Stanley Cup, though. Like I said, it’s hard to trump the Cup-winning goal — though I look forward to the other four players on this list trying.

Next: TBT: Avs Select Matt Duchene

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