What National Experts Predict Colorado Will Do – The Denver Post

With just over two weeks left until the NHL Draft, the Avalanche have the 24th pick in the first round.

This is the first time since moving to Denver that the Avs have selected 24th overall. But there is potential for value: stars Daniel Briere (1996) and TJ Oshie (2005) were previously drafted there.

Here’s who national draft writers think will end up in Denver.

Clutch point | Tristin McKinstry | Updated June 7

Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

“Artamonov played a role in Torpedo last season alongside 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, especially regarding its finish and size. But Artamonov would bring depth in the middle six and add playmaking to an Avalanche team that is looking for more impressive young talent,” McKinstry writes. View the full mock draft.

SportsGrid | Zack Cook | Updated June 9

Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

“The Colorado Avalanche don’t have skilled forwards with that type of upside in their system. Nikita Artamonov directly addresses this need, offering high-risk, high-reward potential,” writes Cook. View 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 bring Chernyshov to North America, but the reward may be worth it for a big, talented forward who has already shown he can use his body to attack the net and play as an 18-year-old in the KHL ” – writes Kimelman. View the full mock draft.