Colorado Avalanche: Thomas Harley a Stong, Two-Way Defender

If the Colorado Avalanche don’t pick a defenseman with their fourth-overall selection, they may do so with the 16th pick. If so, Thomas Harley is a good option.

The Colorado Avalanche are still working on building their Cup-contending team. While the rebuild may be essentially over, they need to keep adding some pieces to develop and even stronger roster.

For the moment, the Avalanche’s blueline seems pretty well set, especially with Sam Girard and Cale Makar poised to grow into their potential. However, there are still a couple players who are in the 30-something club, and we’ll need some prospects to bolster the defense.

In other words, I think the Avs might choose a defenseman in the first round. They’ll almost certainly pick up one or two in later rounds, but I’m really feeling the team will want to bolster what’s suddenly become an area of strength for them.

The obvious choice is to select Bowen Byram if he’s still available at their fourth-overall pick. However, I question whether he will be. Even if he is, Colorado may be leery of spending another #4 pick on a defenseman. Instead, they may choose to select a defenseman at #16.

If they do lean in that direction, Thomas Harley is a potential candidate for that spot.

Thomas Harley

2018-19 Team:Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Date of Birth: Aug. 19, 2001 (17 years old)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 192 lbs.
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left

Ranked #19 by HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
Ranked #18 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #20 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #24 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #11 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #20 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #22 by TSN/McKenzie

As you can see, Harley is projected to go a little lower than the Avalanche’s #16 pick. However, he may be the best defenseman available when the Avalanche get to the podium.

Harley played his second season for the Steelheads last year, and he almost quadrupled his production. He went from 15 points (1 goal, 14 assists) to 58 points (11 goals, 47 assists) last year.

As the Hockey Writers points out, Harley has been one of those players who’s risen through the draft ranks this season.

Cam Robinson of Dobber Prospects says the following of Harley:

“An efficient and play-driving defender with good size and speed. Harley has not only accepted a larger role with Mississauga this year, but he’s also thrived. Improved lateral quickness and overall speed from last season make him more of a threat off the rush. This is a player with a ton of upside.”

Bill Placzek of Draft Site also likes that Harley is working on his skating — in fact, he calls the prospect’s style, “balanced four-direction skater with upright skating style which doesn’t detract him from being and excellent backward skater or his ability to close on attackers.”

Ben Kerr of Last Word on Hockey also has a fair amount to say about the 17-year-old:

“He has very good speed in both directions. His first few steps and acceleration are outstanding. He handles the puck well, especially while moving at top speed. He has good vision and sees plays developing in the offensive zone.

Kerr does acknowledge, as do all the scouts, that Harley needs to do some work on his game:

Harley will need some time to iron out the defensive wrinkles and continue to get stronger. He has the potential to develop into a strong offensive defenceman, quarterbacking a power play and playing big minutes for his NHL team if he can hit his ceiling.”

Thomas Harley in action:

Thomas Harley and the Colorado Avalanche

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I predicted the Avalanche to pick Harley with their #16 draft pick in my mock draft. However, that’s largely because I thought: A. They wouldn’t get Byram and so would want a defenseman and B. The Montreal Canadiens would take Cam York with the #15 selection. He’s a better fit for Colorado.

I don’t mind Thomas Harley. He’s big, and I like that in a defenseman — especially since our defensive corps has gotten a little smaller recently. I think he’s also got a lot to recommend in his game.

The Colorado Avalanche have a total of eight selections in this year’s draft:

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

That’s five picks in the first three rounds, which isn’t too shabby.

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.