The Colorado Avalanche utilized their two fifth-round picks to focus on shoring up the organization’s overall depth.
With the 149th pick, the Avalanche took Czech goalie Tobias Tvrznik. The 18-year-old player with the Wenatchee Wild of the WHL. In 39 games last season, he sported a 3.10 GAA and a .913 SV%.
While the GAA seems a bit inflated, the SV% looks fantastic. That’s considering that the WHL isn’t exactly known for being a tough, defensive league.
What makes Tvrznik impressive is his size. At 18, he stands 6’4” and 181 pounds. He’s the sort of big goalie that the Avalanche like. His frame is similar to that of MacKenzie Blackwood’s. So, we can certainly see the organizational philosophy there.
Elite prospects had an encouraging description of the eighth-ranked North American goalie.
“Tvrzník's intelligence controls the game in front of him, as he adjusts to make quick, efficient routes and reads both shots and passes with great foresight. His tracking discipline through screens is strong, as he keeps his eyes on the puck…”
That’s not bad. He could be one of those later-round goalies that becomes a solid NHL netminder. The Avs already have a pretty stocked goalie pipeline. But Tvrznik won’t be a factor anytime soon. He’ll be playing for Ohio State in the NCAA next season. That’s why there’s time for the newest Avalanche prospect to make his way through the pipeline.
Avalanche looking for blueline offense at No. 128
The Avalanche used the last pick of the fourth round on defenseman Axel Elofsson out of Sweden. The 18-year-old isn’t overly big, standing 5’10” and 170 pounds. But it’s his offensive upside that has the organization thinking.
Elite Prospects described Elofsson as a “power play specialist” and an “offensive defenseman.” The thought process here is hoping that he could turn into another Sam Malinski. While not a towering player by any means, he looks like the sort of blueliner who could pack some offensive punch in a bottom-pairing role.
This past season, Elofsson tore up the U20 Swedish league, scoring nine goals and 41 points in 32 games. He played six games in the Swedish pro league, failing to register a point.
On the international level, he terrorized U18 tourneys, scoring five goals and 30 points in 27 matches.
He’ll be in Sweden this upcoming season. But you have to think that a blueliner of his skill level should jump to North America sooner rather than later.
The ETA on Elofsson should be at least a couple of years. That’s enough time to let him work his way through the system, potentially getting a shot at the NHL when older blueliners begin to phase out of the Avalanche lineup.
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