Avalanche Eye 2026 Draft Strategy with Nine Picks Up for Grabs

The Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a unique position as the NHL Entry Draft approaches. Without a first-round pick until at least 2029, the team’s focus has shifted to navigating the later rounds. Their only remaining second-round selection, slated for 2027, is likely to be traded before the deadline, further solidifying the Avalanche’s new normal of picking later in the draft.

However, this year’s draft holds more intrigue than usual for Colorado. With nine total draft picks at their disposal, the Avalanche will not be on the clock until day two, but that doesn’t diminish their potential impact. As evidenced by the Carolina Hurricanes’ successful selection of Jackson Blake at 109th overall, there is a path to finding an impactful player outside the top 100 picks.

The Avalanche’s 2026 draft class can be categorized into two distinct tiers. The team’s newly acquired third-round pick from the Ross Colton trade, along with a couple of fourth and fifth-round selections, creates a promising mid-round cluster. Additionally, they hold four seventh-round picks, which can serve as long-term lottery tickets. Each segment of the draft will require a different approach, but history has shown that valuable NHL contributions can emerge from any round.

In a recent trade, Joe Sakic secured that vital third-round pick from Nashville, which holds significant value as it sits in the top third of the round. While some may argue that trading this pick could be prudent—given past struggles in the third round and later—the Avalanche should not abandon the pursuit of a good selection. A successful choice must be coupled with a solid development plan to reverse previous missteps. Realistically, whoever is chosen at 74th overall could quickly rise to be one of the top five prospects within the organization.

Turning to potential targets, Colorado might consider tapping into the Rouyn-Noranda well again for options in the third round. One name to watch is Lars Steiner, a 5-foot-10 right winger from Switzerland currently playing in the QMJHL. With an impressive 30 goals in 44 games this season and four points in five games at the World Junior Championship, Steiner’s scoring prowess makes him an appealing option. Ranked 89th on NHL Central Scouting’s North American list, he is seen as a potential third-round pick who aligns with the Avalanche’s emphasis on goal-scoring talent.

With a wealth of mid-round picks, the Avalanche might also consider packaging some of these selections to move up the draft board. Historically, the organization has been conservative in this regard, with their only significant move being a ten-spot jump to select Ryder Rolston in 2020. However, this strategy hinges on not trading these picks away for immediate roster needs.

While it’s challenging to pinpoint specific targets deep into the draft, there will inevitably be players who slide and could be valuable additions. The Avalanche have shown a preference for overagers, NCAA players, and Russian prospects, and finding a combination of these traits would be ideal.

One player who fits all three criteria is Egor Barabanov, who tops The Athletic’s list of overagers. The left-shot center ranked fourth in OHL scoring for Saginaw and has committed to UMass, a program familiar to the Avalanche given their prospect Francesco Dell’Elce. Though Barabanov is listed at 43rd on NHL Central Scouting’s rankings for North American skaters, his value as an overager is difficult to assess, making him a potential target worth monitoring.

Interestingly, the Avalanche have a strong history of signing seventh-round picks from the CHL to NHL Entry Level Contracts, with the only exception being goalie Ivan Zhigalov in 2022. The CHL continues to produce a rich talent pool, providing options late in the draft. While the focus may be on long-term projects from Russia or the NCAA, the success of CHL seventh-round selections makes them a worthy investment.

On the topic of international prospects, Yegor Rybkin stands out as a prime candidate. The 6-foot-7 goaltender, ranked second among international goalies, faced injury challenges this past year, potentially impacting his draft stock. He plays in Russia’s MHL for the Nizhny Novgorod system, meaning his NHL rights will be retained by the drafting team. Given the Avalanche’s penchant for large goaltenders and long-term projects, Rybkin could be a fitting selection with one of their four seventh-round picks.

As draft day approaches, the Avalanche have a multitude of options and strategies to consider. What type of targets would you like to see Colorado pursue? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.