Coming into the 2024 NHL Draft, the Colorado Avalanche needed to bolster the farm system. There are a handful of talented prospects, but it is one of the worst prospect pools in hockey. When you trade picks to make a run at the Stanley Cup, that is the price to pay.
The Avalanche came in with a pick at the end of the first round. After trading the pick to the Utah Hockey Club, the Avalanche had nine picks in the draft. What did they do with them? Let’s take a look at the Avalanche draft class.
2024 NHL Draft
After an eventful offseason, we had an interesting draft on paper. Many felt that it was a weak class, heavy on talent in the top 20 but thinner after that. That is part of the reason the Avalanche traded the 24th overall pick to Utah for picks 38 and 71 as well as a second-round pick next year.
A screen is seen before the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Sphere in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Ilya Nabokov, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (38th overall)
Though the Avalanche didn’t pick until 38th overall, they got one of the best goalies in a weak draft class. He was the top goalie in the KHL, the MVP of their playoffs, and played at a high level throughout his season. On paper, it is a fantastic pick.
Though he’s a bit undersized, he is quick, smart, and rarely out of position. The Russian factor hurts because they won’t be likely to see him for at least two more years, but more than likely 3-5 years. Still, a talented goaltender.
Best goalie option to draft this year may indeed be the 21 year old Ilya Nabokov. pic.twitter.com/8TrNjuecYL
— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) June 26, 2024
William Zellers, C, Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (76th overall)
Zellers was very productive playing for Shattuck this past year. It is promising that he managed to shine for Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky. His skating ability is what jumps out. He is an above average skater and has the capacity to beat professionals when working wide.
His skills and instincts with the puck are solid and he has shown an ability to score around the front of the net. He’s undersized at 5’11”, 170 pounds, but he has the kind of talent that could get him to the NHL level. He’s definitely a boom-or-bust prospect in the third round.
William Zellers has a custom jacket for the draft pic.twitter.com/ye0eDD8L1C
— Jesse Montano (@jessemontano_) June 29, 2024
Jake Fisher, C, Fargo Force (121st overall)
The USHL is tough to gauge because players can dominate against lower levels of competition. Fisher was one of the best players for Fargo a year ago, showing strong puck creativity and skills. His size – 6’2”, 192 pounds – is enticing, especially at such an early age.
His skating is his biggest detriment. He needs to work on being more explosive and from being limited to the perimeter. He has a good wrist shot and can finish from virtually anywhere, but that will become less apparent the further into professional hockey he advances.
The Colorado Avalanche select Jake Fisher 121st overall #GoAvsGo
The 17 year old center recorded 86 goals and 168 points in four prep seasons for CDH and had 23 goals and 47 points in 51 games for the USHL Fargo Force
Committed to play at Denver pic.twitter.com/gIvKaDAOlk
— PrimeMakar8 (@retro_colorado) June 29, 2024
Louka Cloutier, G, Chicago Steel (132nd overall)
Some considered him one of the most skilled goalies in the draft. He’s as raw as can be but with enough care, could be a guy the Avalanche see five years down the line ready to take a backup spot in the NHL.
Ivan Yunin, G, Omskie Yastreby (137th overall)
Very good athleticism. Quick around the crease, good flexibility, challenges every puck. Had flashes playing for Omskie of the MHL but is as long-term a project as it gets. A name to keep an eye on in two or three years as he could make tremendous progress or disappear entirely.
Maxmilian Curran, C, Tri-City Americans (161st overall)
He moves well for his size (6’3”, 190 pounds) and has strong hands. He’s got some pop offensively but he’s likely a big center that can play at both ends of the ice. If he can develop his offense enough, he could be a bottom-six forward in the NHL.
Tory Pitner, RHD, Youngstown Phantoms (185th overall)
What’s impressive about Pitner is his scoring even when not getting powerplay time. He was strong on the Hlinka Gretzky team, showing strong skating ability and a surprising defensive prowess. He’ll need to show he can score at higher levels to get further.
Christian Humphreys, RW, U.S. National U18 Team (215th overall)
Humphreys has been dealing with injuries, inconsistencies, and a smaller frame. He’s got a lot of skills and can run a power play, but his skating and size are major detriments.
Nikita Prischchepov, LW, Victoriaville Tigres (217th overall)
A solid two-way player that might not have the skill or skating to earn an entry-level deal with the Avalanche but plays in all situations in Victoriaville.
How the Class Stacks Up
The Avalanche did well to stock the cupboard. They didn’t get much in the way of high-end talent, but a lot of potentially enticing projects. They loaded up on goaltender, a sore spot that needed to be addressed after this last season. It will be some time before we know who pans out and who doesn’t, but the Avs did a solid job.
