FanPost

A run on Defensemen in Draft benefits the Avs?



Chris Peters of ESPN posted his final first round mock and I LIKE IT! His mock has the Avs starting a run on Defensemen Friday night by picking Bowren Byram at #4. But it does not stop there. Peters also has defensemen selected at 9, 11, 13, and 15 with Broberg, Soderstrom, Cam York, and Thomas Hardy respectively. One other pick of note is goalie Spencer Knight going at 12. Granted, this is one writer's mock, but bear with me and let me dream a little here.

What would this mock first round mean for the Avs? It means talented forwards and future C2's are dropping like flies to #16. Peters has the Avs drafting Krebs at 16 while Newhook is taken next at 17. Most of the mocks I've reviewed on MHH and elsewhere at best have the Avs trading up to select Newhook or Krebs, not having Newhook and Krebs falling to the Avs. No mocks I've read have that scenario until now.

Should the Avs start a run on D with Byram? Abso-effin-lutely! Barring other transactions, in two years it's fair to predict the Avs will lose one of: Johnson, Zadorov, Barrie, or Girard in the Seattle expansion draft (I'm assuming Cale Makar is safe). Having Byram ready plus 1-2 years of NHL experience to step in as a top four defender (and expansion draft safe) should keep the Avs backline top five now and for years to come. The backend of the powerplay would be the envy of the league.

Will the run on D along with goalie Knight happen? We're two days away from finding out. But for my money, I can not think of a better scenario for the Avs than taking the top D available at #4 and having a choice of talented centers at #16. Sakic would be smiling all the way to the podium while I pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming a little, still.

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