Buffalo Sabres Round Table: 2015 Draft Thoughts

Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) and left wing Alex Tanguay (40) celebrate the win over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nadia Archuleta, Editor – Mile High Sticking

As for left wing Jamie McGinn, that caught everyone by surprise. Sort of. McGinn is a solid third-liner with a decent one-timer. However, he spent most of last season on injured reserved with two different significant injuries. In fact, Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy questioned McGinn’s ability to come back fully from those injuries at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season.

That said, I personally was not aware of the immaturity of the two players the Avalanche acquired, Grigorenko and Zadarov, which Tim expressed to me for my recap on Mile High Sticking. Coach Roy and Avalanche GM Joe Sakic are, though. They have praised the Avalanche players on numerous occasions for showing a great amount of leadership. Colorado is still a young team with some excellent young leaders in addition to veterans. Obviously the execs feel they have the tools necessary to bring these young players along.

As a side note, the Avalanche traded away the #31 pick to San Jose for #39, a second rounder in the 2106 draft and a sixth rounder in the 2017 draft. Those last two picks essentially nullified the Avalanche’s side of the trade that brought defenseman Brad Stuart to the team, leaving Joe Sakic looking quite the wizard at the negotiating table among Avs fans.

Next: Janik Beichler, Editor - Mile High Sticking