Colorado Avalanche: Matthew Boldy Displays Arsenal of Tricks

The Colorado Avalanche could be looking to get bigger up front while still maintaining a speed game. If so, Matthew Boldy is their player.

The Colorado Avalanche have a lot of great options to augment their prospect pool during the 2019 NHL Draft. In total, the team has eight picks, two of them in the first round.

Here’s the entire list of the Colorado Avalanche’s picks:

#4 (from Ottawa)
#16
#47
#62 (also from Ottawa)
#78
#140
#171
#202

Colorado has a lot to consider concerning those selections, both in terms of best player available and future needs of the team.

Well, one of the players the Avs might be considering for one of their top three picks — more likely #16 — is Matthew Boldy.

Let’s take a look at the American-born prospect.

Matthew Boldy

2018-19 Team: USNDT/USHL
Date of Birth: Apr 5, 2001 (18 years old)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 196 lbs.
Position: Left wing
Shoots: Left

Ranked #9 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #9 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #7 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #12 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #9 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #10 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #7 by TSN/McKenzie

As you can see, winger Matthew Boldy is projected to go before the Colorado Avalanche’s #16 position — he’s ranked between #7 and #12.

Boldy spent most of last season playing for the US National Development Team’s U18 Team A, though he also skated on the juniors team. In 64 games with Team A, Boldy recorded 81 points (33 goals, 48 assists). Add 43 points (17 goals, 26 assists) in 28 games at juniors.

Cam Robinson of Dobber Prospects likes what he sees in Boldy, declaring him “silky, silky, silky.” Naturally, with an adjective like that in play, Robinson thinks Boldy has a “soft touch,” though he also praises the prospect’s “exceptional vision.” The scout continues:

“He’s been making a big impact with the U18s while adding some additional speed and strength. His stride can still be cleaned up to generate even greater acceleration.”

Robinson concludes that Boldy has “a very high upside.”

Steve Kournianos of The Draft Analyst also likes what he sees in the young winger, offering this high praise:

“It’s not often you see a teenage winger literally play mistake-free hockey game after game, but Boldy finds a way to solving his own team’s problems while simultaneously presenting the opposition with a bunch of their own.”

Kournianos goes on to observe that Boldy offers “pro-ready size” and “off-the-charts” hockey sense. Instead of silk, he compares the prospect’s hands to butter, calling them “buttery soft.”

The scout also considers Boldy to be versatile, observing that he serves as a set-up man as well as a player who can “score from just about anywhere.” Kournianos concludes:

“He warrants a lot of attention from all five on-ice opponents for several reasons, namely for the violent nature of his directional changes while maintaining full control of the puck. It’s rare to see such a powerful skater look as graceful as Boldy does.”

Ben Kerr of Last Word on Hockey echoes everything Kournianos says about Boldy’s skating. He adds that Matthew is tough to knock off the puck, which helps him win board battles.

Kerr calls Boldy a “pure sniper,” one with an “excellent wrist shot.” Indeed, he consider’s parts of the winger’s game near NHL-ready. Tip ins, rebounds, backhand, snapshot, slapshot, one-timer — Kerr thinks Boldy has them all in his arsenal.

Ben Kerr allows that Boldy was considered something of a defensive liability in the previous season, but states, “Now, he is a player who works hard in all three zones.” The big kid isn’t afraid to play a physical, gritty backcheck. He also blocks shots.

Matthew Boldy in action:

Boldy is committed to playing for Boston College next season.

Matthew Boldy and the Colorado Avalanche

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Matthew Boldy displays many of the qualities the Colorado Avalanche need. He’s big and speedy with a scorer’s arsenal of shots and tricks. I truly believe that, as the team gets smaller on the back end, they’re going to need some size up front.

I think going to college for a couple years, especially in a good hockey school like Boston College, will help the prospect’s development. He’ll continue to grow — scary thought, considering he’s already a powerful young man. His defensive game might round out, too.

Here’s the thing — I love him for the #16 pick, which would be a steal for the Avalanche. But I don’t think they should take a flyer on the kid at #4. There are better players available at that draft position.

So, in all, it’s probably not likely to see GM Joe Sakic call Matthew Boldy’s name at the 2019 NHL Draft. He’s a good player, though, and he’d be my favorite for that second selection of the first round.

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The 2019 NHL Draft takes place in Vancouver, with the first round on June 21 and the second round on June 22. The time for the first round hasn’t been announced, but I’m expected last year’s start time of 5:30 pm MT.

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