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Colorado Avalanche: 3 Winger Choices for the First Round

ByNadia Archuleta|
PLYMOUTH, MI - FEBRUARY 16: Joel Farabee #28 of the USA Nationals skates to the bench after a goal against the Russian Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Joel Farabee
PLYMOUTH, MI - FEBRUARY 16: Joel Farabee #28 of the USA Nationals skates to the bench after a goal against the Russian Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Joel Farabee
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Honorable Mention: Grigori Denisenko

2017-18 Team: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
Date of Birth: June 24, 2000 (17 years old)
Ht: 5’10″
Wt: 165 pounds
Position: Left vwing
Shoots:  Right

Ranked #15 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #18 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #18 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #27 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #15 by TSN
Ranked #7 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)

Grigori Denisenko flew under my radar for his own profile. However, he’s landed right around the Colorado Avalanche’s pick in rankings and mock drafts, so we need to take a look at him.

The first two knocks against him are his size and the fact that he may ultimately decide to stay in the KHL. However, he’s got a lot of skill to balance those two out.

Here’s how Draftin Europe describes him:

"“Displays high skill level and skating agility with the puck on his stick…a playmaker with the shooting ability to finish chances himself.”"

Most other scouting reports are some version of that — that he’s a fantastic skater, fast, agile, and with soft hands. Denisenko also has good hockey IQ. He’s been called a flashy winger and even one of the, if not the, best Russian wingers available.

It wouldn’t be a reach for the Avalanche to select Grigori Denisenko with the #16 pick. And he’s certainly right in their mold of player. I would put him above Serron Noel, but I don’t think I like him better than Vitali Kravtsov or Joel Farabee.

Gregori Denisenko in action:

MORE COLORADO AVALANCHE PROSPECTS:

The Colorado Avalanche have eight picks in the 2018 NHL Draft — unless the Ottawa Senators given them the #4 pick, which means they’ll have nine. The Draft takes place in Dallas June 22-23.

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