Colorado Avalanche: Draft Lottery Over, Tenth Pick Looms

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Offensive Defenseman

Jake Bean

Height: 6 foot 1

Weight: 172 pounds

Age: 17

Shoots: Left

Bean played in the WHL for the Calgary Hitmen, and he had 64 points in 68 games this season, which was good enough for sixth in the WHL for defensemen. He is a gifted young defenseman that will take some time to develop, but has a lot of potential.

Here’s what Elite Prospects have to say about him:

A shifty and intelligent defenceman that plays with panache and poise. An excellent skater that is a good puck-carrier up the ice. Makes very good decisions with and without the puck, and plays strong positionally. Works hard and doesn’t give the opposition much to work with, but could stand to be a bit more assertive during high pressure situations. That being said, he is not a one dimentional player. He displays natural talent in the offensive end, but also plays a complete defensive game in his own end. He has a proactive stick and boxes the opposition out, limiting lanes. All-in-all, the type of all-around defenceman that you want to have on the ice as much as possible. (Curtis Joe, EP 2016) –

Most of the rankings have him going in the mid teens this summer, with the highest ranking coming at 12th overall. Still, he could go earlier in the draft, and the Avs might consider giving him a shot, especially if they trade Tyson Barrie this summer.

Nonetheless, he’s a little small for the breed of player currently inhabiting the Avalanche roster, and Patrick Roy has been wary in the past about selecting a defenseman early in the draft.

That’s why Mr. Bean is the first slide because he’s probably the least likely to get drafted by the Avs.

Next: Mikhail Sergachev

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Two-Way Defenseman

Mikhail Sergachev

Height: 6 foot 2

Weight: 205 pounds

Age: 17

Shoots: Left

Sergachev played in the OHL for the Windsor Spitfires, and had 57 points in 67 games this season, which was good enough for third in the OHL as a defenseman. He is considered a high-end talent, and he might already be off the board by the time the Avs are up to pick.

Here’s what Elite Prospects have to say about him:

A dominant two-way defenceman whose tenacity and competitiveness characterize his style of play. Plays with a poise and confidence that facilitates his creativity with the puck as well as split-second decision making. Naturally fluid skater who is always looking to be engaged, if not the center, of each unfolding play. All-in-all, a diligent two-way defenceman who excels at finding ways to be a difference-maker in games.

Most of the rankings have him going at either the 8th or 9th pick in the draft this summer, which would obviously put him just out of reach from the Colorado Avalanche.

However, he could slip to the tenth overall pick like Mikko Rantanen did last summer for the Colorado Avalanche. If he does, I think the Avalanche will give him a long look because he is projected to be a very impactful defenseman, and the Avalanche seem to lean toward two-way d-men.

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He’s also a big enough body for his presence to be felt on this progressively heavier and grittier lineup that Avalanche management are constructing.

Nonetheless, I still don’t think the Avalanche will pick a defenseman with their pick unless they get an absolute steal, yet perhaps Sergachev is that steal.

Next: Clayton Keller

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All-Around Center

Clayton Keller

Height: 5 foot 10

Weight: 170 pounds

Age: 17

Shoots: Left

Keller played in the USDP, (United States Development Program) the same league that projected first overall pick Auston Matthews played in during the 2014-15 season.

He had 107 points in 62 games this season, and has already committed to play for Boston University next season.

Here’s what Steve Kournianos, a writer for Draft Analyst had to say about Keller:

Keller is a strong, shifty skater with a powerful shot, displaying brilliance and hockey sense strikingly similar to what Marner brings to the ice. And while Marner is a winger, Keller is equally adept at bringing you out of your seat while leaving amazed opponents on the very edge of theirs. He’s schooled amateurs of all ages — U.S. college seniors, European stars, NHL-bound Canadian juniors; it doesn’t matter. He’s a hard-nosed, fearless player with a lot of flash, but he’s been Team USA’s leader and go-to option for every critical situation – defensive zone draws, killing penalties gaining entry into the offensive zone, etc. Does he have franchise potential? We’ll let you judge for yourself, but keep in mind he’s nearly produced as much as Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews did with the NTDP. Keller is also nearly a year younger than Matthews, who set the NTDP scoring record a year ago with 117 points. If Keller keeps his current pace for the rest of the season and through the 2016 U18 tournament, he’ll come close to matching him.

Most of the rankings have him going near the tenth overall pick with some as early as 9th overall, and some as late as 14th overall. That puts him in range for the Avs this summer, but I don’t think he’s what the Avalanche need.

I do think that a forward will be the focus of their pick, but they probably don’t need any more centers unless they do end up trading Matt Duchene this summer.

Even if that happens, Keller is not the type of player that the Avalanche should be looking for at center because he is not as defensively oriented as they need their forwards to be right now.

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He’s an elite offensive talent, but he’s on the smaller end of forwards, and the Avalanche will probably keep looking for size in the draft this summer, as they did last summer.

So, now time for my favorite pick if the Avalanche choose to stay at the tenth overall pick this summer.

Next: Logan Brown

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Huge Center/Wing

Logan Brown

Height: 6 foot 6

Weight: 218 pounds

Age: 18

Shoots: Left

Brown also played in the OHL for the Windsor Spitfires (like Sergachev) this summer, posting 74 points in 59 games. He played in a short stint in the USDP as well, posting 13 points in nine games.

He is massive, as is noted above, and finding a center with his high end talent and size is a difficult find in the NHL. Here’s what Elite Prospects have to say about him:

Brown is a huge center that excels at both ends of the ice. He can be dominant in the offensive zone but takes care of his own end as well. His 6’6 frame is key to his success as he uses his body to shield his puck and his reach to keep it off other players sticks. He is not overly physical for a player his size, but will finish every check and battle down low very effectively. He has a good shot with a pro like release as well as good creativity and maturity when passing the puck. (Tyler Parchem, EP 2016)

Most rankings have him going around the tenth pick, with some ranking him as high as 11th, and others ranking him 16th at the lowest.

He’s certainly a reach at the tenth pick, which is why the Avalanche may exchange a couple of picks to ensure that they don’t draft him too early.

Or, they might not even draft him at all, but boy would I love to see a 6 foot 6 center in a Colorado Avalanche uniform, especially one with the skill he has shown this season.

Next: Conclusion

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The Colorado Avalanche Could Also Trade Up in the Draft

The players listed in the slides are just a few that I decided to list for possibilities the Colorado Avalanche have with the tenth overall pick in the draft. There are a few other options that they might consider like Tyler Jost, Kieffer Bellows, or Charlie McAvoy.

However, they could also trade up in the draft, and if they do they probably won’t crack the top five, but they could get to the 6th or 7th pick overall. If they do decide to trade up, they should really consider Olli Juolevi (pictured above).

Olli Juolevi

Height: 6 foot 2

Weight: 183 pounds

Age: 17

Shoots: Left

Here’s how Elite Prospects describe Juolevi:

A competitive spark-plug, Olli Juolevi is a complete, all-around defenceman that can hem the opposition in their own end or make things difficult for the opposition at home; either way, he puts the pressure on and lays it on thick. A strong and balanced skater, he can rush the puck through the neutral zone with ease or backcheck with haste. Uses his size to his advantage, but knows his physical limits and plays within them. Instead of playing overly physical, he makes his presence felt by exhibiting his high-end playmaking ability and puck possession play. All-in-all, a well-rounded blueliner who thrives under pressure and can be trusted in all situations.

The Colorado Avalanche need help on the blue-line, and that is a fact. I don’t think they should pursue that help in free agency because that is expensive, and they have some good prospects on the rise.

But, if they pick a high-end defensive talent in the draft, then they can allow him time to develop. Juolevi promises to be a very good defenseman, who might even be ready for the NHL next season, but will most certainly be ready by the 2017-18 season.

Conclusion

No matter what happens on draft day, the Colorado Avalanche have a lot of options, especially if they are considering making some big trades on draft day.

Still, if they choose to make those trades either before or after the draft, then there are a plethora of options available at the tenth pick.

Logan Brown promises to be a great player in a few years, and having that big body on the team would certainly be an advantage, once he develops.

Next: Raiding the Oilers Roster

Still, the Colorado Avalanche need to consider drafting a defenseman this summer, and they might end up going that route.

It’s going to be an exciting draft day, and fun offseason.