The biggest issue for the Avalanche this past season was defense, having allowed 240 goals, not typically the type of numbers is takes to finish in the top-8 in the Western Conference, but with the upcoming players draft and free agency set to hit soon after, help is on the way.
A look at the latest mocks have the Avs’ taking a defensive player in the opening round next month, but experts are split on which youngster to select with the tenth overall pick.
Draft Site has Jake Bean, who played for Calgary in the WHL, as the best option. The 17-year-old has played some excellent hockey over the last few months and is excellent in leading a power play, but at just 176 pounds, the young man must add some bulk and muscle to compete at the NHL level.
Another option and a player seemingly more ready to play immediately is Mikhail Sergachyov. The young Russian is 6’2″ 200 pounds and the type of player that can play well on both ends of the ice. This past year, Sergachyov 57 points for Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League and scores another five points in the opening round of the playoffs.
Rumors have already started on several potential roster moves over this summer, including the possibility the front office looks at trading a couple veterans to add more picks in this years NHL Draft. If this speculation is true, management and the fans will need to show some patience over the next couple of years, but with a good summer, this team could rebound quickly and once again become a force in the West within the next couple of years.