The Avalanche traded down in the NHL draft Saturday morning, sending the first pick of the second round (31st overall) to the San Jose Sharks for the 39th pick and a second- and sixth-round pick in 2016.
Next year's picks were previously owned by Colorado, and used to acquire defenseman Brad Stuart from the Sharks last summer. So trading down from the 31st to 39th pick this year basically erased what it cost to get Stuart.
The Avs chose Boston University forward A.J. Greer at No. 39 and major-junior defenseman Nicolas Meloche at No. 40.
Greer, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, was a true freshman last season on a deep team that played for the national championship.