When it comes to drafting a right or left winger for the Colorado Avalanche this offseason, there is very little pressure in finding one that is NHL ready.
The top of this year’s draft is loaded with center and defensive talent, making it unlikely the Avalanche use their first-round pick (10th overall) on a winger. There is time to be patient and develop whoever is selected at this position and Colorado will certainly be okay if it takes a few years for these guys to make it to the NHL team.
As the organization looks to continue improving depth at all levels, all while securing a more hopeful future for the team as a whole, we look at some of the later-round winger prospects that could fit in nicely with the Avalanche at this year’s draft.
5. Riley Tufte
Team: Fargo Force, USHL Pos: LW
Age: 18 Size: 6-foot-5, 212 pounds
Last season: 27 games played, 10 goals, 4 assists
Riley Tufte is a product of Minnesota high school hockey and has committed to attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth for at least the next hockey season. Considering the Avalanche’s history with NCAA prospects, it doesn’t seem as though Tufte would fit in the organization, but his size and ability to score goals make him a viable long-term option.
His time in the NCAA will only strengthen his raw talent and allow him to strengthen the already strong hockey mind he possesses.
Tufte has a lot of speed for someone his size and he plays an uptempo style. His hands are fast enough to keep up with that high-speed game which makes him quite the threat in the offensive end.
His understanding on the defensive side of the ice helps him provide extra support and coverage, especially along the boards and in the corners.
Tufte is projected anywhere from late first round to early third. A fall to the third round would make Riley Tufte a solid choice for Colorado.
4. Vladimir Kuznetsov
https://youtu.be/bgqz7fe6zTU
Team: Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL Pos: LW
Age: 18 Size: 6-foot-2, 214 pounds
Last season: 68 games played, 25 goals, 33 assists
A Russian coming out of the Quebec Major Junior League. Sounds right up Patrick Roy’s alley, eh?
Much like many of the prospects and acquisitions the Roy/Sakic regime have a tendency towards liking, Kuznetsov brings size and physicality and only has room to grow. He makes great use of his body to shield the puck and attack the net; he gets in front to cause havoc for defensemen and goalies alike.
Vladimir Kuznetsov is not exactly an amazing skater, but his willingness to plant himself in front of the net, as well as his ability to excel in the corners, make him a promising project. If he reaches his potential, Kuznestsov’s game could one day be compared to Gabriel Landeskog’s.
This would be a potential fourth-round target, but one that fits the Avalanche style.
3. Taylor Raddysh
https://youtu.be/Hv5NrntYiu8
Team: Erie Otters, OHL Pos: RW
Age: 18 Size: 6-foot-1, 203 pounds
Last season: 67 games played, 24 goals, 49 assists
Taylor Raddysh dosen’t quite fit the whole big, tough guy mold the Avs have leaned towards recently, but he still maintains a lot of strength on his skates. He is willing to go to the dirty areas and not afraid to bump bodies.
Raddysh is at his best when he puts himself in position to create scoring chances close to the net. His vision of the game is impressive and it shows through his ability to find teammates in score opportunities that many players would not see.
Raddysh is not an extremely fast guy, but can easily keep up with a high-tempo offense. His patience and ability to set up unique chances make up for his lack of extreme speed.
Taylor Raddysh also knows how to bury the puck when he is given the right chances, making him a solid offensive threat and good second-round option for the Avalanche.
2. Carl Gundström
Team: MODO Hockey, SHL Pos: LW
Age: 18 Size: 5-foot-11, 194 pounds
Last season: 49 games played, 7 goals, 9 assists
Already having had a season of professional hockey under his belt, playing for MODO in the Swedish Hockey league, Carl Gundström may be one of the more developmentally advanced forwards available. Gundström plans to stay in the SHL for the 2016-17 season as well, playing for Frölunda HC, allowing him to continue his development at a higher level than most prospects.
What sets Gundström apart from many prospects is his physicality and use of his body. He plays a mean game, having little regard for anything but attacking the goal.
His vertical game is unmatched among prospects and it is clear in the way he gets himself to the net to be a part of the play, pick up a rebound or set himself up for a back-door finish.
Gundström’s compete level and grittiness would make him a great pick for the Avalanche if he were to fall to their second pick at number 40 overall.
1. Julien Gauthier
Team: Val-d’Or Foreurs, QMJHL Pos: RW
Age: 18 Size: 6-foot-3, 229 pounds
Last season: 54 games played, 41 goals, 16 assists
There is a good chance Julien Gauthier gets selected between Colorado’s first two picks, but we can always hope, right?
With amazing size and physicality, Gauthier proved to be a force to be reckoned with amongst his peers in juniors. Gauthier’s size alone makes him stand out in the Quebec Major Junior League, but his skill and offense make him one of the best players available, period.
Gauthier’s attitude for the game and drive to improve are just a couple intangible traits that make him all the more desirable for NHL teams. His ability to score the puck and think the game make him someone all teams are considering as a first-round choice.
Taking Gauthier in the first round may be a bit too high, but if by some chance he falls to second round, this is a must for the Avalanche.