DENVER, Colo. -It was a disappointing end to the NHL season for the Colorado Avalanche in 2014-2015. A slow start led to a constant game of catch-up through the last half of the season. With the combination of key injuries and very close losses hampering their run for the playoffs, losing their best defenseman, Erik Johnson, exposed the lack of depth in the defensive corps and put a swift end to Colorado’s playoff hopes.
Finishing out of the playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche find themselves drafting at the number 10 spot in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. It is an opportunity to maybe shore up their defense by grabbing one of the young defensive prospects like Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov, or Zach Werenski. The Avalanche may also go with the best available player regardless of position which has traditionally been Colorado’s drafting team of Joe Sakic, Patrick Roy and Josh Kroenke’s methodology.
With the three top defensive prospects already chosen in PHN’s mock draft by the teams ahead of them, it is the best player available who will be joining the Avalanche from this year’s draft class. Center Mathew Barzal from the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) looks like the pick at number 10 for the Avalanche. The 180 lb. 6 ft. native out of Vancouver B.C.had 57 points in his 44 games last season and is considered by scouts to be a fast skating, smart, creative forward who can also play a strong two way game.
Left Wing prospect Kyle Connor is also still on our draft board but the Avs are known for building their team down the middle of the ice so expect to hear the following announcement on draft day.
“With the 10th pick overall in the NHL Entry Draft, the Colorado Avalanche select, from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockley League, Mathew Barzal.”
Terry Sanford for Prohockeynews.com
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