Colorado Avalanche: Draft Lottery Over, Tenth Pick Looms
By Ross Sellers
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.