The top of this year’s NHL draft is loaded with quality talent. At pick No. 10, it seems as though the Avalanche can’t go wrong with whomever they decide to pick with their first-round selection.
The speculation mostly lies on what position the Avalanche will target with their first pick, but their best bet would be to simply take the best player available.
Over the last few weeks we have examined many of the upcoming prospects in the draft and their possible fit with the Colorado Avalanche. Following are our five favorite players that are likely to be available at the 10th-overall pick that would be a great addition to the Avalanche organization.
5. 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. The Avalanche are definitely in need of bigger, physical defensemen who can also move the puck up the ice safely and soundly. Chychrun isn’t afraid to lead the offensive rush and is aggressive in the offensive end.
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.
Jacob Chychrun’s offensive capabilities are what truly set him apart. As the Avalanche need help offensively, they don’t necessarily need it out of their defensemen. Chychrun is a solid choice for Colorado at 10, but only if the next four prospects have already been selected.
4. Tyson Jost
Team: Pentiction Vees, BCHL Pos: C/LW
Age: 18 Size: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds
Last season: 48 games played, 42 goals, 62 assists
Tyson Jost is one of the more talented forwards in the draft this year and would be at the top of this list if he hadn’t already committed to the University of North Dakota for the upcoming season.
Jost’s skill and vision make it obvious that he is going to be one of the NHL’s top players one day, but the commitment to UND will make some teams hesitant to pick him.
Being the captain of the U-18 Canadian team, Jost is a natural leader but also has the point production to make him even more valuable to any team he is on. Jost is going to be highly coveted by any team in need of offensive improvement, as long as they are willing to be patient while he develops in college.
The Avalanche, and any team for that matter, could never get enough character guys who also can produce in the offensive end. Tyson Jost would be a fantastic, but risky pick. One that would be worth it in the long run if a contract deal could eventually be reached.
3. Logan Brown
Team: Windsor Spitfires, OHL
Age: 18 years old Size: 6-foot-6, 218 pounds
Last season: 59 games played, 21 goals, 53 assists
The Avalanche have had a notable interest in finding bigger forwards to complement the smaller, skilled guys that are already in place. Logan Brown would go above and beyond that, as he not only would complement nicely, but he would contribute on his own as well.
At 6-foot-6, Brown is a monster of a forward that skates with the finesse and agility of someone four inches smaller. His hands are exceptional for a bigger player, and combined with his vision in the offensive zone, Brown would effectively create the space he needs to effectively find teammates that know how to finish.
The Avalanche could land Logan Brown with their first round pick at 10th overall. His addition would continue the movement towards bigger, grittier players, all while adding several offensive capabilities as well.
2. Michael McLeod
Team: Mississauga Steelheads, OHL
Age: 18 years old Size: 6-foot-2, 187 pounds
Last season: 57 games played, 21 goals, 40 assists
The way the Avs struggled to find the back of the net this past season makes Michael McLeod someone to be heavily considered by Colorado. McLeod’s speed, size and vision would be a nice addition to the bottom-six in the future to complement the skilled top-six already in place.
McLeod’s ability to find scoring chances before they develop would be good for an Avalanche squad that had a hard time finding scoring chances at all in the last two seasons.
Many mock drafts and predictions have McLeod landing with the Avalanche, and Colorado would be lucky to get him. Highly skilled, high IQ and a competitive spirit makes Michael McLeod a perfect option for the 10th-overall pick.
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 seems to be the perfect fit for the Colorado Avalanche to pick with their first-round selection. He is decently big with room to grow and uses his size to make an obvious impact on all ends of the ice.
Sergachyov’s patience and calmness when handling the puck would be a refreshing step in the right direction considering what we have seen recently from the defensive core.
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, the Avs have to make this pick. Mikhail Sergachyov is the ideal defenseman for the Avalanche and fits the mold of what they have been looking to add for several years. Of course, he is a project for the future, but should progress to be a top NHL defenseman.