Colorado Avalanche Draft Profile: Effective Anton Lundell

The Colorado Avalanche appreciate the kind of work ethic and 200-foot game a prospect like center Anton Lundell brings to the table.

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The Colorado Avalanche scouts and front offices are sure to be preparing their draft board. The NHL hasn’t decided yet when it will hold the 2020 draft. The league had floated out the idea of a June draft, before the current season could be completed.

It was met with serious pushback from team general managers and owners. So, while a June draft might still happen, it may also be postponed until after the season. So, teams will want to have their draft boards ready for any contingency.

The Avalanche are sure to have looked at center Anton Lundell. You can never have too many centers in your stable, as the team discovered the last couple years. And they do like a good Finnish player.

But Lundell is good. He’s scouted #3 among European skaters by Central Scouting. He’s projected to go between #6 and #13. The Avalanche are going to pick in the late 20s in the first round, so they won’t be likely to get Lundell.

Shame. The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Finn brings a good package.

Anton Lundell Stats

Anton Lundell has been playing the last two seasons in the Liiga, the top men’s league in Finland. That’s also where Mikko Rantanen played.

In his rookie season with the Liiga, Lundell played 38 games. He recorded 9 goals and 10 assists for 19 points. Last season, he played 44 games. In that ime, he earned 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points. Those aren’t startling numbers, but remember it’s a top league for a teenager to be playing in.

Lundeel has also represented Finland in several competitions. In the 2018-19 season, he played in 31 international games. In that time, he recorded 10 goals and 11 goals for 21 points. This season, the international competitions were mostly cancelled.

Anton Lundell Highlights

Anton Lundell isn’t known as a flashy player. However, his skills are solid. Here’s how Cam Robinson of Dobber Prospects describes him:

"“A polished, two-way centre who already brings the full package. His patience with the puck allows him to distribute the puck with more efficiency. Boasts an elite brain to support his well-rounded style.”"

It’s always useful to have a two-way center on the team.

Bill Placzek of DraftSite sees similar in Lundell. He points out that the center sees time on both the power play and penalty kill. He adds:

"“Will disrupt the opposition’s breakouts by setting himself on a collision course right at them. Although not the high end magic handed stickhandler that has redefined the present era, he is really strong in so many other areas, like in dot, his strong skating stride, and his positioning.”"

You love to see a player, especially a skill player, who’s not afraid to crash the net.

Fun fact: YouTube crashed for approximately two minutes — the exact two minutes I was hunting for video of Lundell. It can back, so here’s the video:

That was worth the wait.

Colorado Avalanche and Anton Lundell

Lundell might be a bit of a steal at #10. It’s doubtful he’ll fall to #15. So, of course the Avs aren’t going to get him. He’s not the type of player they’d trade up for.

That’s not to say Lundell isn’t worth a top-15 selection. Two-way centers are always valuable. But his one area of weakness is his skating, and that won’t fly for the Avalanche.

Nonetheless, if he were to somehow fall in the team’s lap, they certainly wouldn’t turn him away. He has the potential to make a second-line center one day. He’s be a good selection.

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The Colorado Avalanche would love to have someone like Lundell at the 20-something pick they’ll have — a smart, two-way center who’s reliable and effective.

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