The Colorado Avalanche head into another NHL Draft without many picks and options at the top of the board. So what will their plan be?

Colorado holds nine draft picks heading into the weekend, more than in years past. That is thanks to the recent trade of Ross Colton for a couple of picks from the Nashville Predators.

Do they plan to use all the picks?

The Avalanche acquiring more picks is intriguing, as several draft picks went out the door during Chris MacFarland’s tenure as general manager. Joe Sakic, now leading the team again, may choose a different strategy to assemble his roster.

Sakic was behind several major draft picks in his first tenure as general manager, including Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Cale Makar. Although the Avs lack high first-round picks, they might seek hidden gems starting in the third round.

A major reason Colorado would want to use their picks is to restock. There are few to no prospects in the system, and their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, need a lot to fill in their roster.

The reasons are there for Sakic to draft who he can with the nine picks. But the trends show he might look for more deals.

What other moves could they make?

On the flip side, the Avs will look to fill in their own roster. The contract dump trade of Colton to the Predators leaves a gap on the first-team roster.


Colorado might plan on promoting someone like Gavin Brindley full-time, particularly after the departure of Zahkar Bardakov. However, they could also plan on utilizing their nine picks to make some more moves.

Sakic hasn’t been afraid to make moves, and it could be no different this week. Could they even make a trade to move up in the draft order? That would likely involve another roster player being moved, with Valeri Nichushkin’s name creating a lot of smoke.


But the most likely moves might be the 2-for-1 draft picks to either move up the order or down the order with another pick in their hands.

The Avalanche have had little luck drafting low in the order, aside from someone like Nikita Prishchepov. Will they land someone like him again, or continue dumping picks? All will be answered by the end of the day on Saturday.