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Colorado Avalanche: Analysis of the 3 Picks in Rounds 5 to 7

ByNadia Archuleta|
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: A general view of the draft floor prior to the Colorado Avalanche pick during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 21: A general view of the draft floor prior to the Colorado Avalanche pick during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
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KANATA, ON – JULY 02: Ottawa Senators Prospect Center Luka Burzan (38) sits on the bench during the Ottawa Senators Development Camp on July 2, 2018, at Bell Sensplex in Kanata, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Luka Burzan, #171

2018-19 Team: Brandon Wheat Kings ( WHL )
Date of Birth: Jan 7, 2000 (19 years old)
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Position: Center
Shoots: Left

Ranked #100 by THE ATHLETIC
Ranked #181 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #126 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

As you can see, center Luka Barzan is one of the overage players in this year’s draft. He was eligible to be drafted last season, but his name wasn’t called. As the Surrey Now Leader points out, that fact game him motivation to prove pro teams wrong last season.

Part of the problem for Burzan in his first draft year was he was playing for a talented Moose Jaw Warriors team. They were stacked, and he saw limited ice time, according to TSN. He got traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings.

As TSN points out, last year was a breakout season for the British Columbia native. He scored an impressive 78 points (40 goals, 38 assists) in 68 games.

The analysts at TSN evaluates that he “shoots the puck extremely well.” What’s more, they say he displays “nifty moves in tight.”

The Hockey Writers state that Burzan’s game displays some “flashy aspects” but that he doesn’t have a ton of high-end skill. They acknowledge that he makes his teammates better. He’s a “ferocious forechecker” who’s responsible in all three zones.

I like the selection. I appreciate that he’s an overage pick because that means he’s closer to his actual size, and he’s more mature. He faced the adversity of not getting selected in the draft, using it as motivation to only get better.

Here’s Luka Burzan in action:

And check this out:

Hey, that’s not too shabby for a sixth-rounder.

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