Colorado Avalanche: Alternate Patrick Roy Reality
2016 NHL Draft
My great pride is that in 2015, I predicted the Colorado Avalanche’s first three picks. I predicted Mikko Rantanen in a full first-round mock draft and both Nicolas Meloche and A.J. Greer in a seven-round Avalanche mock draft.
I’ve never managed that achievement again — the last two drafts have perplexed me. I had high hopes for that 2016 draft — I really thought I’d make the same predictions. See, the reason is I listen — when Patrick Roy spoke, I listened. I’ve been doing that with Joe Sakic, but it hasn’t helped me pre-determine what moves he’s going to make.
Anyway, if Patrick Roy had wrested control of the Avalanche from Joe Sakic, I’m pretty confident I know who Colorado would have chosen at least with their first round draft pick: Logan Brown. Here’s what I said at the time of Brown:
"“Brown is the whole package — and it’s a big one. His height (6-foot-6) gives him the stride to be fast while his overall size makes him a mountain on the puck. Brown is a hard worker with elite puck and stick skills.”"
In fact, I was so confident that the Colorado Avalanche were going to choose Logan Brown that, when Joe Sakic said, “From the Penticton Vees…” (Tyson Jost‘s BCHL team), I thought he was mis-pronouncing “Windsor Spitfires,” Brown’s major junior team. Or having a seizure.
Brown was so in the Avalanche’s mold of player — big, speedy, skilled and mature for his age.
In that same mold was who I had the Avalanche picking with their #40 spot, Tage Thompson — also a big, speedy, skilled, mature player. After the second round, it’s almost impossible to predict who a team is going to choose, but I had by eye on Gabriel Sylvestre, a good-sized defenseman who’s very scrappy but also has keen puck-moving skills, for the fourth round.
Instead, here is the list of who the Colorado Avalanche chose:
- Tyson Jost, center
- Cameron Morrison, left wing
- Josh Anderson, defenseman
- Adam Werner, goalie
- Nathan Clurman, defenseman
- Travis Barron, left wing
Now, there’s no way I can say Logan Brown is achieving more than Tyson Jost as he’s an alternate captain in the OHL, while Jost has transitioned into the NHL. Jost’s signing already with the team was largely based on the Avs’ need, and Brown may have been signed, too. However, Brown suffered a wrist injury last year, so he may not have made the transition as well.
Concerning my two picks versus who the Avs actually chose, Tage Thompson has already signed his entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues and appeared in 16 games with the AHL affiliate. Gabriel Sylvestre is playing in the QMJHL.
From the Avs’ actual picks, Cameron Morrison has completed a year playing college hockey at the University of Notre Dame. There’s no news that he’s signing with the team yet. However, the Avalanche’s sixth-round pick, Nathan Clurman, will be there next season. Josh Anderson and Travis Barron both just completed major junior seasons — also no word on their signing with the team.