Eurolanche

Prospects and Picks

 I figured I would give my two cents just like every other Avs fan is doing today.

I am going to start off with Tomáš Vincour news reported earlier on Eurolanche. Personally it kind of makes me mad. Mostly because I liked Cameron Gaunce as a prospect for the Avs Now with Vincour taking off it basically like the Avs traded for nothing but to dump Gaunce for now reason. I mean Gaunce could still end up being nothing at all but a good AHL D man. Still better than nothing but an empty roster spot. Vincour instead has gone the way of a lot of guys who just can’t crack the NHL and get tired of trying the KHL. Say Hi to Alexander Radulov and Nikita Filatov while you’re there. I mean the Avs still have his rights if he comes back with is good. Maybe he just thinks he can grow more in the KHL then the AHL but not a good track record of that being the reason guys leave.

The big news today was Joe Sakic saying Seth Jones is not the guy the Avs are looking at. But the forward prospects of Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin and Aleksander Barkov. The word I am hearing is Sakic really likes Barkov. Now I have no clue how true that is. My feeling on that is pretty simple I am sure the guy is good and could be a great NHL player. But last time the Avs picked up a guy just because he was killing it in the Swedish Elite league his name was Joakim Lindström and I am sure everyone remembers how that worked out.

Personally if we are not going for Jones I would like MacKinnon. Yes I know we have too many centers but the kid could be a superstar type player. Be nice if the Avs could have their own one two center punch like Crosby and Malkin.  Speaking of Crosby, MacKinnon comes from the same home town as him and trains with him in the offseason. That to me is a huge plus sign. Say whatever you want about Crosby being a wuss or a whiner. The guy gives it his all trains hard and knows the game. So if MacKinnon is learning and working with him that is a huge thing to consider.

This where I can also see why Seth Jones is being knocked down the draft now. The rumors that Jay Z is trying to sign him for his Roc Sports Nation. Now I am sure it is all professional and probably a very good agency. It just seems on paper like a bad idea. To have a young guy with a lot of pressure on his shoulder could be involved with a more party type agency. It could be nothing like that at all. I have been hearing that is what a lot of people see it as though. This is not the type of thing Jones should get involved with at this stage when he needs to focus on his game and growth still. Plus in a recent interview Jones said he really liked me a guy like Kane a well-known party guy. Where MacKinnon was really impressed meeting Toews a great young leader. It is the little things people notice when both are so evenly talented.

Now if the Avs take any of the forwards mention not named Drouin it does give you a surplus in center. This makes a hard choice for the Avs. This means most likely Stastny and something else for a good proven defender. Or wait till deadline and move O’Reilly and his inflated ego for defensive help. Or both if O’Reilly doesn’t live up to hype and contract by then. Or trade for another pick in the first round and grab a good D man there. Plus don’t forget the Avs also have the 31 pick as well which could still be a very good player. Not drafting Jones won’t be the end of the world. Just have to make sure the player they choose instead is better in the long run.