Hello All! I have been wanting to do this for quite some time now, and finally decided to start my own blog about the Avs. There are many things that show this organization in the right direction, and this past year was a great (albeit tough) experience for a very young Avs team. Much to everyones surprise, the Avs made the playoffs the first year after longtime captain and hall of famer Joe Sakic retired and under rookie head coach Joe Sacco. In Sacco's 2nd year, the Avs fought for most of the season, until injuries took its toll and a brutal post-allstar break led the avs to the 2nd pick in this months NHL Draft. While the Avs enter the draft with the 2nd and 11th pick, all Avs fans await which elite player will dress for them in the near distant future. With Edmonton expecting to select Red Deer Rebel Center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with the first overall pick, the Avs have (in my mind) 3 suitable candidates to pick at number 2. My rankings in order:
1. Adam Larsson - Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League Elitserien.
Larsson is a world-class defender from Sweden (we all known what Swedish defence are capable of becoming) who will become a very successful NHL player. Larsson draws many comparisons to Nik Lidstrom and other fellow Swedes, but to me he is very similar to Senators star Erik Karlsson. Like Karlsson, Larsson has a booming shot from the point, and would fit nicely with recently acquired former first overall pick Erik Johnson or John-Michael Liles. Larsson would be a tremendous player for the Avs if they were to select him
2. Jonathan Huberdeau - Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.
In this draft years biggest story, Jonathan Huberdeau enters the NHL draft fresh off his MVP performances in both the Sea Dogs QMJHL Championship and Memorial Cup Championship. Much hype has been talked about for Huberdeau as he possesses tremendous offensive talent at the center position, while being able to fit on the wing as well. Huberdeau would be a perfect fit on the wing of Duchene or Stastny, but also could Center as well and truly become a world class player. Huberdeau would be a perfect fit for the Avs
3. Gabriel Landeskog - Kitchener Rangers of the OHL
Landeskog may be the most NHL ready player in this year's draft. He possesses a complete game, much like Matt Duchene did leading into his draft year, as Landeskog is a two-way 200 foot player who knows how to win. The Avs would be safe picking Landeskog and would solve their weak LW issues (Mueller and Galiardi both were hurt this season).
Each of these 3 players would make a great impact on the Avs immediately, so it will be up to GM Greg Sherman to make the right pick. Positive Outlook to the future is important for Avs fans, as prospects Joey Hishon (C - Owen Sound Attack OHL), Tyson Barrie (D - Kelowna Rockets WHL) and Stefan Elliot (D - Saskatoon Blades WHL) all could make the team next year, along with rising players Duchene, O'Reilly, Fleischmann, Mueller, Johnson etc. The NHL Draft will be exciting for sure as the Avs could also get another steal at the 11th pick
This has been a great first post, and I hope to be writing a lot more entering the draft and free agency this summer. A bright future for the Avs!
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News.
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