It has been a few seasons now that the Colorado Avalanche have been looking to make acquisitions that would fortify their defensive core. Avs general manager Joe Sakic reaffirmed their hopes to continue doing so this offseason in his end-of-year press conference earlier this offseason:
“When you talk about a position of need,” Sakic said, “we would like to get some help on the back end.”
Coincidentally, there are several defensemen who are projected to be taken somewhere around where the Avalanche are going to be making their selection in this year’s draft, No. 10 overall.
Avs fans can rest assured that the Avalanche have thoroughly done their homework on the defensemen available at the top of the draft. We take a look at the five highest rated defensive prospects that could potentially land with the Colorado Avalanche next week, June 24.
5. Charlie McAvoy
Team: USA National U-18 team Pos: D
Age: 17 Size: 5-foot-10, 163 pounds
Last season: 62 games played, 37 goals, 70 assists
Charlie McAvoy is currently committed to attending the University of Boston for the upcoming hockey season. This will allow McAvoy time to develop in a proven league for NHL development.
McAvoy is a smart puck mover, displaying good decision making abilities both during an offensive rush as well as during zone possession. He is constantly aware of his teammates positioning as well as that of his opponents, making McAvoy an offensive threat as well as possessing elite defensive skills.
Charlie McAvoy’s style of play is similar to that of Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie. With Barrie’s upcoming contract still up in the air, McAvoy would be a solid replacement for the future if the Avalanche were to lose Barrie this offseason.
4. Jake Bean
Team: Calgary Hitmen, WHL Pos: D
Age: 18 Size: 6-foot-1, 172 pounds
Last season: 68 games played, 24 goals, 40 assists
Great on his skates and hands like a forward, Jake Bean’s offensive skills are the epitome of today’s offensive-defensemen. His vision of the ice allows him time and space to create scoring chances for himself. Once he is in a scoring situation, Bean’s high-level skill and accurate shot allow him to score goals that are out of character for a defenseman.
Jake Bean is positionally sound and plays with a confidence that allows him to make plays other defensemen aren’t as confident to make.
Some believe Bean will have a difficult time transitioning to the NHL, but offensive skills like his are hard to find.
3. Jacob Chychrun
Team: Sarnia Sting, OHL Pos: D
Age: 18 Size: 6-foot-2, 198 pounds
Last season: 62 games played, 11 goals, 38 assists
The American born Jacob Chychrun is a smart and physical defenseman who knows how to find the back of the net. He makes good decisions with the puck and isn’t afraid to lead the offensive rush. Chychrun is aggressive when on offense, getting the puck to the net for his teammates to finish the deed.
Chychrun’s bread and butter comes from his left-handed slap shot from the right side of the ice. His hard one-timer makes him an ideal option for power-play situations and a legitimate threat from the point during five-on-five.
Defensively, Chychrun is strong, but where he really impresses is on offense. Chychrun should definitely be available for Colorado’s first pick, it will simply be a matter if there is a better option available or not.
2. Olli Juolevi
Team: London Knights, OHL Pos: D
Age: 18 Size: 6-foot-2, 183 pounds
Last season: 57 games played, 9 goals, 33 assists
Olli Juolevi is arguably the best defenseman available in this year’s NHL draft. He has a strong but tame use of his body, applying hits that aren’t over powering, but get the job done.
Juolevi’s puck possession skills and ability to create plays in the offensive end are what make him a highly coveted prospect for teams that need a defenseman. His competitiveness and composure in high pressure situations are just a few intangibles Juolevi possesses that will likely land him with a team selecting in the first nine spots. It’s a fat chance, but if Juolevi is still there when the Avalanche make their first pick, Juolevi will land in Colorado.
1. Mikhail Sergachyov
https://youtu.be/NG68XgzyaV0
Team: Windsor Spitfires, OHL Pos: D
Age: 17 Size: 6-foot-2, 220 pounds
Last season: 67 games played, 17 goals, 40 assists
Mikhail Sergachyov is a young defenseman with decent size that sees the game well and uses his body well to make big plays. His patience with the puck allows his opponents to make mistakes and Sergachyov capitalizes by finding the perfect place on the ice to fire the puck and score goals.
Of course, Sergachyov is a two-way defenseman who’s play on the defensive side of the ice is as strong as his offensive side. His physicality makes him stand out amongst his peers which is surprising considering that 6-foot-2 really isn’t something to be drooling over.
As one of the top rated defensemen in this year’s draft Sergachyov has a chance to be taken before the Avalanche get to make their first pick, but if he is available at No. 10, you can count on Sergachyov hoisting an Avs sweater in a picture with Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic on the draft day stage.