Chris MacFarland could use another couple of days at the NHL draft like he experienced a year ago.
The Colorado Avalanche general manager won’t have some of the same tools available to him to help reshape his current roster, but MacFarland and his club could certainly use an impact prospect, some present help for the NHL team, or both.
Colorado has the No. 24 selection at the 2024 NHL draft, which next weekend in Las Vegas. The Avs currently don’t have another pick until the fourth round, at No. 121.
“The first-round pick is an unreal asset,” MacFarland said at the NHL draft combine earlier this month in Buffalo, N.Y. “We believe we’re going to have the opportunity to get a really good hockey player at that spot. Will the phone ring? During draft week, it usually does. Right now, we’re doing the grunt work on the guys and the final touches on our list.”
A year ago, the Avs traded a young player (Alex Newhook) for the No. 31 and 37 picks and used some extra cap space to add Ryan Johansen in a salary dump move by Nashville. They also used pick Nos. 27 and 31 on their top two prospects, Calum Ritchie and Mikhail Gulyayev, and traded No. 37 to Tampa Bay for Ross Colton.
MacFarland doesn’t have a player quite like Newhook to dangle, though Daily Faceoff reported that Colton could be available if the Avs seek some cap relief to try and sign other players. He doesn’t have the cap space to take advantage of another team’s squeeze.
But there could be a future impact player available at No. 24. The Avs could try to move back and add another pick, or move No. 24 for an NHL player, presumably a cost-controlled one who helps the cap puzzle fit together.
Who are some of the players that could be available at No. 24? The Avs’ pipeline is thin, so positional need should not be an issue.
We compiled a composite ranking from seven draft expert sources — The Athletic, ESPN, TSN, Sportsnet, FLO Hockey, Daily Faceoff and Elite Prospects — for players who might be drafted at or near the 24th selection.
Michael Hage, center
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 188 pounds
Composite: 19.5
Hage had a dominant season for the Chicago Steel in the USHL, the same program that helped develop Macklin Celebrini and Adam Fantilli and is headed to Michigan next season. He should go in the teens, but two lists had him in the mid-20s.
Igor Chernyshov, wing
Height, weight: 6-3, 204
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Composite: 20.1
Has the potential to be an impact power forward while also earning praise for his work rate without the puck. Sounds like a couple of guys the Avs are pretty familiar with. He should go higher on talent alone, but could slide given teams won’t be certain when he’ll play for them.
Adam Jiricek, defense
Measurables: 6-2, 185
Composite: 20.1
His brother went sixth two years ago, but he’s not quite the same level. He should go in the teens but missed a big chunk of this season with an injury. Injuries can lead to someone lasting longer than expected on draft night.
Jett Luchanko, center
Height, weight: 5-11, 187
Composite: 24.3
Earned plaudits for his skating ability, competitiveness, work ethic and hockey IQ. Made a huge leap forward this year as a prospect.
Sacha Boisvert, center
Height, weight: 6-2, 183
Composite: 24.5
Great production in the USHL, but he also needs some time in the weight room. He’s going to North Dakota and could spend two or three years there.
Terik Parascak, wing
Height, weight: 6-0, 179
Composite: 28.5
Huge breakout season after barely playing in the WHL last year. High-end offensive ability, but his ability to skate at an NHL level is a question mark.
Nikita Artamonov, wing
Height, weight: 5-11, 187
Composite: 28.6
Played with Avs forward Nikolai Kovalenko this season in the KHL. Isn’t particularly big, but plays hard and contributed to a playoff team at 18, which isn’t a common occurrence in that league.
EJ Emery, defense
Height, weight: 6-3, 183
Composite: 29.5
Was a star at the combine testing, but there are questions about whether he’ll offer enough help offensively at the NHL level.
Emil Hemming, wing
Height, weight: 6-1, 205
Composite: 33.9
Lots of praise for his shooting ability and offensive instincts, but less for his skating ability. Feels like a player who could pop with the right development, or end up as a tweener.
Yegor Surin, center
Height, weight: 6-1, 197
Composite: 35.5
His ranking looks lower because of one list putting him in the 60s, but Surin had a big year in Russia’s junior league. The scouting report sounds a bit like Kovalenko — offensive ability with a desire to create chaos — though with more upside.
Trevor Connelly, wing
Height, weight: 6-1, 160
Composite: 19.4
Connelly is the wild card of the first round. On talent alone, he should be gone well before the Avs pick. His off-ice history is loaded with red flags. Some teams won’t even consider him. The team that selects will face scrutiny.
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