NHL Draft Preview: Colorado Avalanche

Over the next week, FanHouse will preview the top players and teams in next Friday's NHL Draft. This is the third post in a six part series.

It is widely regarded that in this year's draft, there are three prospects that are head and shoulders above all the others. With the third pick in next Friday's draft, it is likely that the Colorado Avalanche will have a chance to select from the trio of John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. This will be the first major decision for new GM Greg Sherman, who was promoted on June 3 after seven years as assistant GM.
For most of the season, the Avs held their own in the tightly contested Western Conference. The team faded down the stretch, however, due in part to injuries to their star players Joe Sakic and Paul Stastny. The Avs ended up making a heck of a run at the worst record in the league by finishing the season with only four wins in their last 23 games and it was by far their worst season since moving to Colorado in 1995. Now they will likely take what is left over after the Islanders and Lightning make their picks -- or at least that's what I would do if I were in charge.

Previous First Round Selections
2007, No. 14: Kevin Shattenkirk
2006, No. 18: Chris Stewart
2004, No. 21: Wojtek Wolski

Organizational Needs
Much like the Islanders and Lightning that we previewed earlier in the week, the Avalanche had problems on both sides of the puck this season. They finished dead last in the NHL in goals scored and were 26th in goals against. The latter statistic is due in part to the continued platooning of Peter Budaj and Andrew Raycroft in net. Neither seems to have the ability to be a solid top netminder in the NHL, which leaves the Avs searching for an answer. In terms of the defenders and forwards, the Avs have a lot of good young talent and will certainly be looking to add to that.

What's the Plan?
First and foremost the Avs need a starting goaltender and there isn't one on the roster or in the system. The bad news is that there isn't one to take with the third pick this year. In my opinion, they should take whichever of the star trio is leftover at this point. Each would help fill a need for the Avs and greatly help them as they look to rebuild.