Colorado Avalanche Draft Winger Sampo Ranta in 3rd Round

The Colorado Avalanche had a single pick in the third round, #78. They used that pick to select left wing Sampo Ranta.

The Colorado Avalanche used their fourth-round pick, #78, to increase their scoring depth, opting for a scoring winger, left wing Sampo Ranta.

Sampo Ranta

2017-18 Team: Sioux City Musketeers, USHL
Date of Birth: May 31, 2000
Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 200
Shoots: Left

Ranked #76 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #57 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #50 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #54 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #18 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #63 by TSN/McKenzie

Winger Sampo Ranta was a good pick for the third round — as you can see above, almost every scout had him going in the second round. The Finnish-born winger spent the past two years in North America playing in the USHL in preparation for a potential NHL career.

Ranta told NHL.com about his experience:

"“It was huge for me to come here and play in the states. I loved it. The USHL is a great league. I think I took a lot steps here and I got better a lot. It was good, it was fun.”"

Here’s what Bill Placzek of Draftsite said of Ranta that he can try to do too much on his own. However, Sampo has some good skills:

"“Perimeter attacker with good size, hands, shot, and skating ability. “"

David Gregory of NHL Central Scouting said of the winger:

"“I think how he thinks the game is really, really strong. His physical skills are really easily apparent. He skates like an NHL player already, has an NHL shot and release. I don’t think his numbers reflected the real upside offensive potential he has.”"

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Gregory adds that Ranta tends to make the right play by seeing when teammates get open. He added, “ may not get it back, but he made the right play.” The scout also thinks Sampo elevates the play of his teammates.

With the Sioux City Musketeers last season, Ranta earned 37 points (23 goals, 14 assists) in 53 games. He plaed for Finland in the World Junior Championsip, getting a goal and an assist in seven games.

Sampo Ranta has committed to playing for the University of Wisconsin next year. Notable alumni of the university are Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers, Joe Pavelski of the San Jose Sharks and (it pains me to say this) Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild.

Sampo Ranta in action:

Fun fact: According to the draft commentators, Sampo Ranta likes to play Monopoly with his family.

Not so fun fact: I keep getting his first and last name mixed up.

Colorado still has the following draft picks:

#109
#140
#146 (from Pittsburgh)
#171
#202

Next: Avalanche Pick Justus Annunen

In any case, Sampo Ranta is likely to be another long-term project, likely getting developed in the NCAA system for two or even three years. What I like about this pick is that the Colorado Avalanche are choosing to augment their forward depth — specifically at the wing position.

What’s especially noteworthy is that the Avs have yet to select a North American player. They’ll probably also pick up a defenseman soon, perhaps in the fourth round.