For the Colorado Avalanche’s last selection of the 2019 NHL Draft, I decided to indulge my wish for a big, fat defenseman. Ok, the 18-year-old Jackson van de Leest is unlikely to be any kind of fat, but he’s big at 6-foot-6, 223 pounds. That’s a whole lot of defenseman.
He’s not just a big bruiser either. He’s been playing with the WHL Calgary Hitmen for the last two seasons. Last year he recorded 21 points in 67 games — not bad for a defenseman who’s ranked #138 by Central Scouting and whom Future Considerations ranks at #207.
Ok, he’s also kind of a big bruiser:
And:
Well, this is a seventh-round selection. Colorado only has one of their recent seventh-rounders signed — Travis Barron from 2016.
And anyway, I’d like to see the Avalanche at least attempt to add some size and grit in a player who’s doing pretty ok in the WHL. You never know when a late rounder might pan out — Dustin Byfuglien and Joe Pavelski were both seventh rounders, and they worked out just fine.
The 2019 NHL Draft takes place in Vancouver on June 21 and 22. The listed start time is pm MT for the first round on Friday.