June 29th 2024.
The city of Las Vegas was buzzing with excitement as the NHL draft kicked off, and the Colorado Avalanche was at the center of attention. After years of making strategic trades in pursuit of the Stanley Cup, the Avs found themselves short on draft capital. But their general manager, Chris MacFarland, had a plan to change that.
As the first round unfolded at The Sphere in Las Vegas, MacFarland saw an opportunity to make a move. He turned their 24th pick into three selections by trading with the Utah Hockey Club. The deal involved giving up their first-round pick for this year, but in return, they received picks 38 and 71 for the 2024 draft, as well as a second-round pick for 2025.
MacFarland was pleased with the trade, seeing it as good value for the Avs. He explained, "Especially considering we didn't have a first, second, or third-round pick for next year." The Avs had traded away their 2024 picks in previous deals that landed them key players like Artturi Lehkonen and Darcy Kuemper, who were crucial in their 2022 Stanley Cup win. And their 2025 first-round pick was part of a trade that brought in Casey Mittelstadt and Sean Walker, while also freeing up cap space by getting rid of Ryan Johansen's contract.
When asked about the strategy behind trading away draft picks, MacFarland acknowledged that it's a delicate balance when a team is in win-now mode. He explained, "You're looking for entry-level players or low-cost players to supplement your star power. One of the key ways to get those players is through the draft, often high in the draft. But when you're moving those picks, you really have to hit on a late pick or a college free agent."
Fortunately, the Avs will still have a second-round pick in the 2025 draft, thanks to this deal with Utah. The Utah Hockey Club had entered the draft with a whopping 20 selections in the first three rounds over the next three years, and they were willing to part with three of them to move up and select Cole Beaudoin, a promising center from the OHL's Barrie Colts.
But this trade wasn't just about acquiring more draft picks for the Avs. It also gave them the opportunity to add some much-needed depth to their prospect pool. With only a few standout prospects like Calum Ritchie and Mikhail Gulyayev, the Avs were lacking in depth. This trade could bring in multiple players who could potentially join the ranks of top prospects like Ritchie and Gulyayev, or be used as trade assets to improve the NHL roster.
The draft festivities were not over for the Avs, as rounds two through seven were set to take place the next day. With their newly acquired picks, the Avs now had a total of five selections in the final three rounds, in addition to picks 38, 71, and 121 in rounds two through four. MacFarland was optimistic about the potential of their new picks, saying, "We like the clusters that we've got going. There were some guys that we certainly liked there. It's pick No. 24, and there are some good hockey players. But there's still a lot of good players on the board, so hopefully we'll find one at No. 38."
As the draft continued, the Avs also made headlines with their star players being selected for international tournaments and their own Nathan MacKinnon winning the Hart Trophy. But for now, their focus was on adding new talent to their team and building towards future success. Fans can stay updated on all things Avalanche by signing up for the Avalanche Insider, where they can get exclusive NHL analysis and news.
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