Colorado Avalanche: Peyton Krebs a Fast and Skilled Playmaker

Canadian center Peyton Krebs could be an option for the Colorado Avalanche in the first round.

With their two first round picks the Colorado Avalanche could be looking for someone to fill the much needed second line center position in the future. Alex Turcotte is one option, and Peyton Krebs is another. As a reminder these are the picks the Avalanche have available at this year’s draft:

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

Peyton Krebs

2018-19 Team: Kootenay Ice (WHL)
Date of Birth: Jan 26, 2001 (18 years old)
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 181 lbs.
Position: Center
Shoots: Left

Ranked #6 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #6 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #8 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #8 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #10 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #6 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #9 by TSN/McKenzie

As you can see, Krebs is predicted to go lower than 4th but a lot higher than 16th. He suffered a torn Achilles during off-season training which may affect where he’s drafted.

Still, depending on how he heals and the doctor’s reports it’s entirely possible the Avalanche could still select him. He certainly has the skills the Avalanche are likely looking for.

Curtis Joe of Elite Prospects describes him:

"Peyton Krebs is a potent point-producer and offensive catalyst that rises to the occasion whenever he’s on the ice. He is a smooth, shifty skater that traverses all three zones with ease and closes the gap on the backcheck quickly."

He goes on to add:

"All-in-all, Peyton Krebs is an exciting mix of speed, skill, smarts, and hard-nosedness in all three zones. He’s got a very high ceiling."

As well as being strong offensively, Krebs also plays a good defensive game. Ben Kerr of The Last Word on Hockey says:

"He uses his smarts in the defensive zone as well, cutting down passing lanes and anticipating plays. Krebs is especially effective on the penalty kill. He creates turnovers with an active stick and once one is created, he transitions this up the ice quickly."

What makes Krebs stand out is that he clearly has natural leadership skills. Not only was he the captain of his WHL team this season, he was also named captain of Team Canada’s U18 team at World Juniors.

Those leadership skills have been tested this year as well. His WHL team had an astoundingly bad season, winning just 13 of 68 games. It’s worth adding that despite the lack of wins, Krebs himself finished the season with 19 goals and 49 assists totaling 68 points. Meaning he was averaging a point per game.

Leadership skills are something you can develop but there generally needs to be some underlying natural ability. Whichever team drafts Krebs could have a future captain or alternate captain on their roster.

Peyton Krebs in action:

Peyton Krebs and the Colorado Avalanche

Although he’s been ranked lower than 4th, and his recent injury puts his draft position in question, the Avalanche should certainly pay some consideration to Krebs for their 4th pick. He has the skills and leadership ability necessary for an NHL center and could very well find himself wearing the “C” or the “A” in years to come.

Obviously I don’t know the results of his surgery and how well his injury is going to heal, but assuming he makes a full recovery I can see Krebs being a good fit in the Avalanche locker room. The team could certainly use another speedy playmaker on the ice.

Next. Moritz Seider Brings Physicality and Mobility. dark

The 2019 NHL Draft takes place in Vancouver, with the first round on June 21 at 6pm MT and the second round on June 22 at 11am MT.

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