Colorado Avalanche Draft Profile: Alexander Nylander

Now that the NHL Draft Combine is over, the Colorado Avalanche will be — as they probably have been for weeks — taking long looks at certain players and judging their value at the tenth pick; up next for a draft profile is Alexander Nylander.

The NHL Draft Combine took place from May 30th to June 4th, and now that it is complete, it’s time to start seriously considering draft selections for the Colorado Avalanche at No. 10.

The NHL Draft will take place on June 24th and 25th at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York, just a few short weeks away (hooray).

Here’s the other profiles we’ve done at MHS over the weeks:

Although Alexander Nylander was not on the list that Nadia Archuleta — MHS editor — gave to us writers for possible selections at No. 10, I’m going to take a look at him anyway.

Nylander is a speedy winger with a ton of offensive upside, he’s also the brother of William Nylander, who is likely to have a stellar year in the NHL next season.

Alexander Nylander is projected at many different places in the draft, so it’s really anybody’s guess where he’s going to get drafted. He’s mostly ranked anywhere in the top 15 depending on what sites you look at.

Let’s take a further look at Nylander.

Alexander Nylander Statistics

Position: RW/LW

Shoots: Right

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 179 pounds

Age: 18

Minor Team: Mississauga Steelheads

NHL Player Most Like: Jonathan Drouin (my take)

Probability of NHL Success: Nearly Guaranteed by the 2017-18 season.

Alexander Nylander Scouting Report

Alexander Nylander turned some heads at the NHL Combine, scoring the highest on the anaerobic peak power test with a score of 21.7, which was way above the average of 15.7.

Are you wondering what the anaerobic peak power test is all about?

Well, here is an in depth explanation of how it works, but basically it’s just about endurance and acceleration when performing at an “all-out” level.

Other players that tested high were Auston Matthews, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Jakob Chychrun who are all projected to go in the top ten in this year’s draft. For more on that story, look here.

Anyway, I mentioned that I relate Nylander to Jonathan Drouin, and I really believe that’s a good comparison.

More from Mile High Sticking

Although there is not a huge sample size of what Drouin is capable of at the NHL level, he certainly turned some heads in this year’s NHL Playoffs.

Nylander is a speedy winger who handles the puck well with speed, has great vision, and high-end playmaking ability.

Here’s a good article on the ups and downs of how Nylander is viewed by scouts. Michael McLeod is featured in the article too, and he’s a definite possibility as well for the Avs at the tenth pick.

Nylander certainly needs to bulk up before he makes an NHL roster because he’s got good height on him, but he needs to add some weight and muscle in order to play with the men he’ll encounter in the NHL.

Here’s a video of Nylander in action:

He plays like any Swede can be expected to play. He has extremely fluid skating and puck skills, he’s speedy, and he has great playmaking ability. Also, it seems like scouts are pretty high on Nylander.

Alexander Nylander Potential Fit with the Colorado Avalanche

Nylander is the perfect fit for the Colorado Avalanche, he just needs a little time to develop but that’s to be expected with any draft pick made outside the top five.

Colorado Avalanche fans saw last year that Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene need a speedy winger to play with, and a winger with playmaking ability.

Nylander possesses these qualities, and he’s also got a nose for the net, getting in front to score goals.

Furthermore, he’s been noted to play with an extreme intensity to his game, never giving up on a play, which is definitely something the Colorado Avalanche could use more of.

Honestly, he’s my favorite pick at No. 10 for the Avalanche, but I don’t think the Avalanche will end up with Nylander.

He’ll either get drafted before the Avalanche are able to snag him, or they just won’t draft him at all because of his size.

Next: Jacob Trouba a Good Fit for Colorado Avalanche?

That would be unfortunate because the Colorado Avalanche need a winger with speed and playmaking ability.

Nylander can also play the left or right wing, a versatility that is a commodity in the NHL, a versatility the Colorado Avalanche could use because of their depth in both wing positions.

If it’s me — and I like sitting in the GM chair on occasion — then I’m taking a long hard look at Nylander in this year’s draft, and if he’s available with the tenth pick, then I’m not hesitating on pulling the trigger.

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