|
|
Bloggers 
My HockeyBuzz
Cap Central
Fantasy
Forums
Store
Chat
RSS
|
Season Ticket Login Free Registration! |
Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 |
 |
|
Colorado Avalanche Blogger •
Seven picks later, the Colorado Avalanche walk out of this draft with a strong 2011-2012 team. That's how long it will take the gold in the Avs roster to come out of the bedrock. But they have found some late round gold.
The first pick, which came with some suspense, was Matt Duchene. I really like this kid on so many levels. He's fast, has a great shot and shows up when the game is on the line. I also like to poise and composure he shows when he interviews. This a guy I could see on day becoming captain of a team. Along with Paul Stastny, he'll provide enough offense from the middle. Give him a couple of really good wingers and he'll provide great offense for years.
Then the Avs drafted something they haven't had since Stephane Yelle, a strong third line center. With the 33rd pick, the Avs drafted Ryan O'Reilly, a third line center in the mold of Columbus Blue Jackets center Antoine Vermette. The Avs desperately needed a third line center prospect and now they have one. He'll return to Erie of the OHL next year but after that, we'll see what happens.
With the pick they got in the Jordan Leopold trade, they got another Jordan Leopold. Stefan Elliot is a wild card. He can skate, shoot and pass and isn't all that bad in his own zone either. He'll fill out the future Avs top four of Shattenkirk, Cohen and Gaunce. While I am surprised that the Avs drafted another defenseman, some will say we should have used it for a goaltender, but I'm even more surpised he was available at 49. If the Avs had drafted a nice winger like Richard Panik, I would have been a little happier but not a lot. This is a great value pick for the Avs.
In round three, the Avs complete shocked me and drafted Tyson Barrie. Barrie is a smaller defenseman who's focus is on the offensive aspects of the game. However, I am excited that he has played with Shea Weber and Luke Schenn in his career. That's wonderful to hear and he is a great skater. This pick signals the impending end of Kyle Cumiskey and maybe John-Michael Liles' tenure with this club. No need for three defensemen of diminutive size and similar skill sets on the same team.
In the next two rounds the Avs picked two goaltenders that I love. Kieran Millan, another person attending Boston University and the real gold of the Avs' draft, Brandon Maxwell. Maxwell has the skills, smarts and size to be a terrific goalie in the NHL. But it will take at least four years to get there.
The Avs rounded out their draft with Gus Young a defensemen from Massachusetts. At 6'2 190 he needs to grow into his frame. Though for a fun fact, he is born on the same day as Adam Foote. He's the longest shot to make the club but I wouldn't count him out.
The first pick, which came with some suspense, was Matt Duchene. I really like this kid on so many levels. He's fast, has a great shot and shows up when the game is on the line. I also like to poise and composure he shows when he interviews. This a guy I could see on day becoming captain of a team. Along with Paul Stastny, he'll provide enough offense from the middle. Give him a couple of really good wingers and he'll provide great offense for years.
Then the Avs drafted something they haven't had since Stephane Yelle, a strong third line center. With the 33rd pick, the Avs drafted Ryan O'Reilly, a third line center in the mold of Columbus Blue Jackets center Antoine Vermette. The Avs desperately needed a third line center prospect and now they have one. He'll return to Erie of the OHL next year but after that, we'll see what happens.
With the pick they got in the Jordan Leopold trade, they got another Jordan Leopold. Stefan Elliot is a wild card. He can skate, shoot and pass and isn't all that bad in his own zone either. He'll fill out the future Avs top four of Shattenkirk, Cohen and Gaunce. While I am surprised that the Avs drafted another defenseman, some will say we should have used it for a goaltender, but I'm even more surpised he was available at 49. If the Avs had drafted a nice winger like Richard Panik, I would have been a little happier but not a lot. This is a great value pick for the Avs.
In round three, the Avs complete shocked me and drafted Tyson Barrie. Barrie is a smaller defenseman who's focus is on the offensive aspects of the game. However, I am excited that he has played with Shea Weber and Luke Schenn in his career. That's wonderful to hear and he is a great skater. This pick signals the impending end of Kyle Cumiskey and maybe John-Michael Liles' tenure with this club. No need for three defensemen of diminutive size and similar skill sets on the same team.
In the next two rounds the Avs picked two goaltenders that I love. Kieran Millan, another person attending Boston University and the real gold of the Avs' draft, Brandon Maxwell. Maxwell has the skills, smarts and size to be a terrific goalie in the NHL. But it will take at least four years to get there.
The Avs rounded out their draft with Gus Young a defensemen from Massachusetts. At 6'2 190 he needs to grow into his frame. Though for a fun fact, he is born on the same day as Adam Foote. He's the longest shot to make the club but I wouldn't count him out.
Join the Discussion:
More from Aaron Musick
 |
 |