Colorado Avalanche: Serron Noel Would be a Big Power Forward

The Colorado Avalanche should pick in the #16 to #20 range at the 2018 NHL Draft. Right wing Serron Noel would provide size up front.

The Colorado Avalanche are still in their rebuilding phase, so the 2018 NHL Draft is a way for them to fill up once-repleted coffers. They don’t have a very high draft pick this season — it’ll be between 16 to 20. However, they should still be able to pick up a valuable asset in the first round.

The team wants to focus on players who are speedy and who think the game fast while playing a 200-foot game. At one time, the emphasis was on size, but the Avs have gotten away from that. Therefore, they’re becoming a smallish team.

Adding Serron Noel would boost that back up.

Serron Noel

2017-18 Team: Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Date of Birth: August 8, 2000 (currently 17 years old)
Ht: 6’5″
Wt: 205 pounds
Position: Right wing
Shoots: Right

Ranked #28 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM

Ranked #37 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Ranked #14 by ISS HOCKEY

Ranked #21 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY

Ranked #10 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

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Let’s address the elephant in the room — Serron Noel is about the size of an elephant. Pound for pound, you’re getting a lot with this kid.

As always happens with big players, Noel’s skating has been questioned. Apparently he went into his rookie year struggling with skating. Between that season and his second for the Generals, he worked hard on his skating and showed a lot of improvement.

Dominic Tiano of the OHL Writers has noticed the difference:

“He’s improved his skating so much, that it is very noticeable. He moves so well for a player of his size. His long strides allow him to put separation between himself and an opponent. He has the agility of a much smaller player.”

Peter Harling of Dobber Prospects would agree with that assessment:

“Noel has developed his skating stride quickly and has a powerful stride that propels him with tremendous velocity, agility and grace. Noel placed first at the CHL Top Prospects Scouting Combine in On-Ice Testing for 30M Forward Skate.”

Ben Kerr of Last Word on Sports, though, takes a more cautious approach to appraising Noel’s skating:

“While the skating is still a work in progress, it has vastly improved this season. Noel generates very good speed for a big man and has really improved his first few steps and acceleration. While his stride looks awkward, it gets him where he needs to go.”

Kerr adds that his strong lower body gives him excellent balance though he still struggles with agility and edgework.

Offensively, Serron Noel projects as a power forward if because of his size alone. Scouts agree that part of his struggles come from trying to use his size to advantage. However, all the scouts agree he has soft hands.

Harling adds the following that his soft hands combined with good hand-eye coordination make him a “dangerous offensive player.”

Tiano also appreciates Noel’s stickhandling abilities as well as his playmaking abilities. Tiano thinks Noel is helped by a “deceptively quick release” and that his end-to-end rushes “brings Generals’ fans to the edge of their seats.”

Kerr thinks Serron Noel has one of the hardest wrist shots in this year’s draft and that accuracy is one of his strong points. However, Kerr adds the following:

“He needs some work on his one-timer. He also needs to be more consistent in finding opportunities to get his shot off. So much of the NHL game is generating shots, and Noel can sometimes leave one waiting for him to shoot more.”

Interesting note, Serron is the son of Dean Noel, who used to play football in the Canadian Football League. Dean has stated that he steered his son away from football because he feared concussion syndrome — Dean suffered concussions during his career.

Serron Noel in action:

Serron Noel and the Colorado Avalanche

Since the Colorado Avalanche put so much emphasis on skating, you hesitate to recommend their drafting a player who has a history of needing skating help. However, I made that mistake with Conor Timmins, and now it looks like he’ll be our prime rookie next season.

It would be so good to get some size back onto the team. Serron Noel has good skills, if not elite. What’s more, he’s a winger, and Colorado could use a few more of those.

Noel is only 17 years old, so it’s to be expected that he’ll keep developing. He’s known for having a strong work ethic, so you know he’ll show improvement. If the Avs took him in the first round, I’d be perfectly happy.

MORE COLORADO AVALANCHE PROSPECTS:

The 2018 NHL Draft takes place in Dallas, Texas at the American Airlines Center. The first round is Friday, June 22 with rounds 2 to 7 taking place Saturday June 23.

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