What’s another scenario you could see happening for the 4th-overall pick?
The fourth-overall is such an adaptable draft position that I could foresee a lot of different scenarios. Turns out so could the writers:
Ross had one option:
I think it’s extremely unlikely, but I suppose the only other scenario I could see is obviously a trade. I think this trade again involves the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Avs would be getting a defenseman they think is absolutely worth the No. 4 pick — Jaccob Slavin — AND Matt Duchene. Both teams would certainly swap picks, and the ‘Canes would likely have to give up some other prospect as well.
However, the Avs get their top-pairing left-handed defenseman (Slavin) the ‘Canes get their No. 1 center (Duchene), and the Avs also still get to draft an offensive catalyst at No. 12 overall in Nick Suzuki. This draft is basically about Suzuki or bust for me, and he should be a player Joe Sakic is considering with every ounce of his thought process.
Mark also though a trade could be on the horizon:
Trading down in the draft to take Cal Foote while acquiring additional assets. This could involve moving Matt Duchene to a cup contender as well, in exchange for a lower pick and a bevy of promising young prospects.
Daniel just thought the Avs might get creative in who they chose:
Timothy Liljegren (D) & Cody Glass (C)
A lot of people have written off Liljegren as this year’s Chychrun, but don’t be so surprised if the Avs opt to take him at #4 if Heiskanen is gone. He was out with mono for a lot of the season which took a toll on his draft stock, but he’s got a lot going for him and while his defensive game needs to improve, he could pay big dividends to the team that takes a chance on him.
Glass is just an all around solid player. He’s not flashy a la Hischier, but its really hard to argue with the numbers he put up this season. He had 95 points, 68 of which were primary and plays a defensively responsible game. Even though he’s a centre, which the Avs have in abundance, Glass would be a good fit in Colorado as he needs at least 2 more years before he’ll break into the NHL.
Joey Faul doesn’t think so:
Like the Denver Broncos draft this year, I think that the Avs draft will be very straight forward and there won’t be any surprises.
I have a leg-up on the guys here because I’m writing this after listening to Avalanche scout Alan Hepple’s podcast. He has, indeed, confirmed that the team is open to trading the fourth-overall pick. If Colorado makes a draft-day trade, I think the fourth-overall could be a key component.
It’s still possible to use that fourth-overall to gather more draft picks. Hepple mentioned more than once the importance of Colorado’s second-round draft pick, #32. It could be the Colorado Avalanche intends to use this draft to fill the depth coffers. Maybe they’d trade down and just add another second-rounder. I don’t think they’d trade too far down, though.
Next: 2017 Mock Draft for the Avs, All 7 Rounds
I don’t know about you, Avs Nation, but I’m excited by the 2017 NHL Draft. I know it’s not a stellar year. I know the Colorado Avalanche got lotteried out of the top-three picks. However, I think this draft will be very informational about what direction the team is going in — and how committed they are to that direction.