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Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Colorado Avalanche’s new prospects and how they fit into the farm system. This page will be updated throughout the 2024 NHL Draft.
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2024 Draft Grade: C
Colorado didn’t pick until No. 38 but got one of my top-rated goalies in Ilya Nabokov. The Avalanche picked a lot in this draft, but without many high picks, it’s hard to truly move the needle in terms of getting legit NHL talent. Some of their late picks have chances to make it, and we’ll see how their development goes, but I think their draft mostly will revolve around Nabokov’s future play.
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Draft Class
38. Ilya Nabokov, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
March 27, 2003 | 6′ 1″ | 179 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Analysis: Nabokov has had a great season; he was a top goalie in the KHL as a 20-year-old and MVP of their playoffs and in his fourth draft-eligible season. Nabokov is a super smart goalie. He anticipates plays at a high level and rarely seems out of position. Even when he needs to move a lot to make a save, he does so efficiently and is set for shots. He has very good quickness, although given his frame, it’s not the Juuse Saros-type of quick-twitch you’d ideally like to see. Even though he’s been great versus pros this season, there are questions on how his game will translate into the NHL due to his size and whether he can back up this performance in future seasons.
76. William Zellers, C, Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (USHS-Prep)
April 4, 2006 | 5′ 11″ | 170 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Analysis: Zellers was a highly productive player in prep hockey this season for Shattuck. He was also a top player for USA at the Hlinka Gretzky. Zellers is a very good skater who projects to be able to beat pro defenders wide. He has good skill and instincts with the puck. He can create scoring chances off the perimeter and around the net front. Zellers’ size is his main concern, and while he’s talented, he doesn’t have the eye-popping talent you’d like in a 5-foot-10 winger.
121. Jake Fisher, C, Fargo Force (USHL)
March 27, 2005 | 6′ 2″ | 192 pounds
Analysis: Fisher was a top player for an excellent Fargo team this season. He’s a good-sized center with strong puck skills and creativity. He has a good wrist shot and can finish from range. His skating is just OK, though, and he plays too much on the perimeter.
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132. Louka Cloutier, G, Chicago Steel (USHL)
August 22, 2006 | 6′ 2″ | 168 pounds
137. Ivan Yunin, G, Omskie Yastreby (MHL)
May 6, 2006 | 6′ 2″ | 196 pounds
161. Maxmilian Curran, C, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
August 27, 2006 | 6′ 3″ | 190 pounds
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Below NHL average
Analysis: Curran played a notable role on Czechia’s U18 team in the summer before coming over to the WHL where he was a productive player for Tri-City. He has an intriguing athletic toolkit. I don’t think he’s a blazing-fast skater, but he moves well enough. He has power in his stride and can get by opposing players. He has strong hands and can make plays with the puck on the move. Curran has some offense, but I don’t view him as a true scorer or someone who is going to be a primary chance creator at higher levels. You are drafting him because he’s a big center who can play both ways and you’re hoping he develops enough offense to be a bottom-six forward.
185. Tory Pitner, RHD, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
March 6, 2006 | 6′ 1″ | 183 pounds
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Pitner was a quality defenseman for Youngstown and scored at a high clip despite not being given a ton of power-play time. He was the captain of USA’s Hlinka Gretzky team and represented them at the World Jr. A Challenge as well. Pitner is a strong skater. He retrieves pucks quickly and can skate pucks up ice. Defensively, he makes a lot of stops. He closes on checks and is also reasonably physical. Pitner can make the odd tough pass and plays with his head up, but he’s not an overly skilled player who projects to score at higher levels. As an average-sized defender, he raises questions as to where he slides in a lineup unless his defense is just exceptional.
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215. Christian Humphreys, RW, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
February 4, 2006 | 5′ 11″ | 170 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Humphreys didn’t have the big draft-eligible season some expected, in part due to injuries and then inconsistent performance. He is quite talented, though, and has a chance to be a solid pro scorer. Humphreys is a highly skilled forward who can make and finish plays effectively. He has the ability to run a flank on a power play and create chances with pace. He’s a good enough skater and can make checkers miss on open ice. His compete is just OK. He doesn’t get pushed around, but for a 5-foot-11 player, he doesn’t have the top-end effort level you’d like to see.
217. Nikita Prishchepov, LW, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
February 20, 2004 | 6′ 1″ | 187 pounds
(Photo of William Zellers: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Corey Pronman is the senior NHL prospects writer for The Athletic. Previously, Corey worked in a similar role at ESPN. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreypronman
