The NHL entry draft is a little more than two weeks away and the Avalanche has the 24th pick in the first round.
This is the first time since moving to Denver that the Avs have picked from the 24th spot. But there’s potential for value: all-stars Daniel Briere (1996) and T.J. Oshie (2005) were previously selected there.
Here’s a look at who national draftniks are thinking will land in Denver.
ClutchPoint | Tristin McKinstry | Updated June 7
Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
“Artamonov carved out a role on Torpedo this past season along with Anton Silayev. He has excellent hands and vision on the ice. The Russian winger is also a great skater who uses his speed to beat defenders. There are some concerns, particularly with his finishing and size. But Artamonov would bring middle-six depth and added playmaking to an Avalanche team that is looking for more impressive young talent,” McKinstry writes. See the full mock draft.
SportsGrid | Zack Cook | Updated June 9
Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
“The Colorado Avalanche lack skilled forward prospects in their system with this type of upside. Nikita Artamonov directly addresses this need, offering high-risk, high-reward potential,” Cook writes. See the full mock draft.
NHL.com | Adam Kimelman | Updated June 10
Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
“The Avalanche will have to be patient to get Chernyshov to North America, but the reward could be worth it for a big, skilled forward who already has shown an ability to use his body to attack the net and produce as an 18-year-old in the KHL,” Kimelman writes. See the full mock draft.
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NHL.com | Mike G. Morreale | Updated June 10
Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City (USHL)
“His game is predicated on speed, skill, vision and compete and he’s too good to pass up at this point in the draft. He averaged 1.50 points in 52 games, first in the USHL among players with at least 30 games,” Morreale writes. See the full mock draft.
ESPN | Rachel Doerrie | Updated May 10
Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
No writeup available. See the full mock draft.
SportsNet | Sam Cosentino | Updated June 10
Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
“A resurgence in the playoffs and especially at the U18’s helped eradicate a 21-game regular-season injury absence. Ritchie is a playmaker with creativity and vision,” Cosentino writes. See the full mock draft.
The Athletic | Corey Pronman | Updated June 5
Egor Surin, C, Yaroslavl Jr. (Russia)
“Surin’s stock is on the rise after a great postseason in Russia, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went higher than this. He has tremendous compete and good natural talent as well. He’s an easy player to like and Colorado has shown they’re not afraid to take shots on talented Russians,” Pronman writes. See the full mock draft.
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