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2018 NHL Draft: Colorado Avalanche full seven-round mock draft

By Jeremy Lambert

BUFFALO, NY - JUNE 2: Vitali Kravtsov performs the Wingate cycle test during the NHL Scouting Combine on June 2, 2018 at HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JUNE 2: Vitali Kravtsov performs the Wingate cycle test during the NHL Scouting Combine on June 2, 2018 at HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 16: Patrick Giles #24 of the USA Nationals skates up ice with the puck against the Russian Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Patrick Giles
PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 16: Patrick Giles #24 of the USA Nationals skates up ice with the puck against the Russian Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Patrick Giles /

Round Five – No. 140 Overall: Patrick Giles (C)

The Avs either shy away from American players all together or take one late in the draft. Giles fits the bill of a late round pick for Colorado. He’s another player with size, which is a theme for Colorado in this draft. They have the speed part down, but they are constantly muscled around by teams like the Los Angeles Kings. Find a gritty forward who can play in their bottom-six in the late rounds would have Avs fans thrilled. There’s some offensive upside, but he’ll be best as a third line checking forward.

He’s already committed to Boston College next season.

Round Six – No. 171 Overall: Jeremy McKenna (W)

To move away from their size, McKenna represents a small and speedy winger with plenty of offensive talent. He posted 77 points in 68 games for the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL last season. His lack of size may hurt him at the NHL-level. The Avs typically shy away from Canadian players at the back end of the draft or take one in Round 7. This would be a round early for them, but it’s tough to pass up on a talented offensive player this deep in the draft.

Round Seven – No. 202 Overall: Tyler Tucker (D)

Another player who was ranked highly by Central Scouting at the midterm (104 amongst North American skaters) and fell by the final rankings (171 amongst North American skaters). With the Barrie Colts, Tucker posted 23 points in 59 games last season. He’s a good skater with a physical side.

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Like most late round picks and players who fall in the rankings, he’s a project with some red flags. Players don’t fall in the rankings unless scouts see something they don’t like. Tucker can take care of himself defensively, but has a limited offensive upside.

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