The Colorado Avalanche will have only two draft picks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft starting on Friday night. They currently have the 118th and 214th overall picks in the draft, sitting with no picks in the first three rounds. The Avalanche are cash strapped with only $1.2 million left in cap space and they still have several spots to fill. How will the Avalanche approach the draft? Will they actually use the picks? Here are my thoughts on what the Colorado Avalanche could do, starting on Friday night at the draft.
Use The Picks
The Avalanche could use the picks to get a couple of prospects. The Avalanche are an average age of 28.7 years-old (just below the league average), but they are not getting any younger. Colorado are short on prospects, having traded them away to chase the Stanley Cup over the last few seasons. They need to fill the goaltender ranks. The Avalanche have just two real contenders in the system in Ilya Nabokov, who will be on loan to the KHL this upcoming season and Trent Miner. Miner is also a restricted free agent but has yet to sign a new contract.
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – 2025/03/08: Ilya Nabokov (30) of Metallurg Hockey Club seen in action during the Hockey match, Kontinental Hockey League 2024/2025 between SKA Saint Petersburg and Metallurg Magnitogorsk at the SKA Arena. (Final score; SKA Saint Petersburg 4:2 Metallurg Magnitogorsk). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The right wing depth is also a little shallow as well. The injury to Logan O’Connor to start the year will make it that much more difficult. Oskar Olausson may see more time to start the year, but he has only a few games under his belt. Either way, any play that the Avalanche draft will not be ready to insert into the lineup this season.
Forget About The Draft
Another move that the Avalanche could do is completely forget about this year’s draft. They could package the two picks with a player or two to clear some cap space. Miles Wood has been a heavy topic of conversation to be moved. To reward a team to take him, the Avalanche could throw in the fourth round pick. Rumors show Martin Necas disliked his time in Colorado. That would clear up an additional $6.5 million in cap space. Ross Colton could be an appealing target for some teams, clearing up $4 million.
Feb 7, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Darnell Nurse (25) checks Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (20) during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
This seems like the most likely outcome of the Avalanche. To clear cap space would give them room to sign players like Sam Malinski and Ryan Lindgren. Colorado needs to consider they need to have more cap room if they want to pursue anyone during the season at the deadline. With such a tiny amount of wiggle room, it leaves little to the imagination. Denver is probably losing a favorite player before the end of the weekend.
