Colorado Avalanche: 3 Defenseman Choices for the First Round

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The Colorado Avalanche have eight picks in the 2018 NHL Draft, with the first coming at the #16 spot. If they choose a defenseman for that pick, here are their top three options.

The Colorado Avalanche will make their first draft selection with the #16 spot. The party line is that the team will choose the best player available.

I’m hoping the Avs choose the best player available in the position they need. If that’s the case, they probably won’t choose a defenseman. For the first time, defense isn’t Colorado’s biggest area of worry.

Colorado has a pretty good foundation set with their cornerstone, Erik Johnson, being locked in for the next five seasons. His heir-apparent, Nikita Zadorov, will be looking for a new contract after next season, but he’s slated to be RFA. I have confidence the Avs will sign him.

Tyson Barrie is locked in for two more seasons, as is his heir-apparent, Samuel Girard.

Colorado also has Mark Barberio and Mark Alt for two more years as role players on defense. Anton Lindholm has one more year, and it’s said the team is negotiating with Patrik Nemeth.

More exciting is who they have coming up the pipeline — Conor Timmins and Cale Makar. Timmins will be at training camp and is expected to play at some point next season. Makar will captain the UMass Minutemen, after which time he’s expected to sign his entry-level contract.

In the system, they also have Nicolas Meloche, Josh Anderson, and the injured Sergei Boikov. They also drafted Nicky Leiverman last year.

So, we’re looking at an eventual future of Johnson, Zadorov, Barrie, Girard, Timmins, and Makar. Oh, yeah.

However, as a wise man once said (it was Patrick Roy), you also need to draft with vision. I’d say Colorado might well trade Barrie at some point, or lose him in two years, so it makes sense to start planning for that now.

I don’t think they should spend a first-rounder on a defenseman unless he’s really standout. I’m not sure I could these guys in that category. However, according to Avs scout Alan Hepple, these three defensemen are on the Avs radar.

Here are three options ranked by how much I like them for the Colorado Avalanche’s #16 selection.

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1. Ty Smith

2017-18 Team: Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Date of Birth: Mar. 24, 2000 (18 years old)
Ht: 5’10″
Wt: 175pounds
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left

Ranked #14 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM

Ranked #9 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Ranked #19 by ISS HOCKEY

Ranked #16 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY

Ranked #13 by TSN

Ranked #14 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Actually, Ty Smith isn’t listed on Hepple’s list, and I’m not sure why. It could be that the organization doesn’t want anyone to know of their interest in him in order to avoid another Miro Heiskenan situation.

Because Smith is right up the Avalanche’s alley. He’s a speedy, puck-moving defenseman who thinks the game fast. And he has elite puck skills. He’s even been touted as the best prospect coming out of the WHL this year.

Mock drafts have him going as high as 12 or as low as 22. As a prospect, he’s ranked right in the Colorado Avalanche’s range, and no lower thatn #19. That’s why he would be my first pick for a defenseman for the Avs to choose.

Full Ty Smith profile:

Related Story: Ty Smith

Ty Smith in action:

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2. Bode Wilde

2017-18 Team: US National U-18 Team, USDP
Date of Birth: Jan. 24, 2000 (18 years old)
Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 198
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right

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Ranked #31 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #12 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #23 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #17 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #25 by TSN
Ranked #17 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Bode Wilde is a player who covers all 200 feet of the ice, which the Colorado Avalanche prize. He’s known for being defensively responsible but also able to generate some offense.

What I like about Wilde is that he has some size an that he uses it to play a sometimes physical game. And he can play a shut-down role when needed.

This isn’t my favorite pick for the #16 spot. Indeed, while three mock drafts have him going right at the #16 selection, most have him lower. He is one of the players Hepple mentioned.

I think if the Avs choose Wilde, it will be with vision — because they know they already have several small, speedy, puck-moving defensemen.

Full Bode Wilde profile:

Related Story: Bode Wilde

Bode Wilde in action:

Side note: Bode Wilde was initially set to go to the University of Michigan, but, per Bob McKenzie, he has decided to see what pro options he has next season.

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3. K’Andre Miller

2017-18 Team: US National U-18 Team, USDP
Date of Birth: Jan. 21, 2000 (18 years old)
Ht: 6’4″
Wt: 205 lbs.
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Ranked #20 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #20 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #14 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #24 by TSN
Ranked #23 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Defenseman K’Andre Miller would be even more of a vision pick — almost to the point of being a reach at #16. While it’s true McKeen’s Hockey has him going #14, he usually falls between 20 to 30.

K’Andre Miller is a big, bruising defenseman in the style of Dustin Byfuglien. He’s played both forward and defense. He’s skilled and can play two-way defense He’s also a smooth skater.

Like I said, I wouldn’t love this pick, but I wouldn’t hate it either. What’s more, he’s a player on the Avalanche’s list. Maybe, just maybe they hope he’ll fall to the second round, though I doubt it. I think a lot of players would have to get snatched out of the Avs’ hands before they spent #16 on K’Andre Miller.

Full K’Andre Miller profile:

Related Story: K'Andre Miller

K’Andre Miller in action:

MORE COLORADO AVALANCHE PROSPECTS:

If the Colorado Avalanche add a talented defenseman in the first round, it might well be because they’re anticipating a trade down the road. I think they’re more likely to choose a forward — preferably a winger.

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