Avalanche director of amateur scouting Alan Hepple said Monday that the team could trade the No. 4 overall pick for multiple picks if it does not select “the best available player” at that position at the first round of the NHL draft Friday in Chicago.
Colorado, which finished with a league-low 48 points last season, is in a roster rebuild but an elite young defensemen is at the top of the needs list. Problem is, the draft’s highest-rated defensemen don’t appear worthy of the No. 4 overall pick. Right-shooting Cale Makar of Canada is the top North American defenseman but is rated ninth among North American prospects.