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The 2013 NHL Draft takes place on June 30 and the Colorado Avalanche hold the No. 1 pick.
The pick seems very obvious with lifelong fan and top-ranked defenseman Seth Jones sitting there ready to be taken by the team. However, it has been reported by the Denver Post that Joe Sakic will likely pass on Jones to take one of the top forwards. If that were to happen, it is likely going to be a decision that haunts this franchise for a long time to come.
Jones is just 18-years old and scored 14 goals and had 42 assists in 61 games this year for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. This Colorado team was awful on defense last season and there is no way that they should be passing up on a chance to get the most NHL-ready player in this entire draft.
Sakic may know what he is talking about, but I don’t think he can take any chances here and must take Jones.
Sakic also added that they would lean towards a forward “if [they] do pick first]. It sounds more and more likely with that comment that Colorado is also looking to trade the pick away. I suggested before that the Tampa Bay Lightning should trade to get Jones. A trade like that looks like the way Sakic wants to go with this.
What are the fans going to say in Colorado if they pass on Jones, who proceeds to go out and scores 40-50 points a season and becomes one of the most dependable defensemen in the game? I’m sure they will be calling for Sakic to be fired. This move is too easy for Colorado and they should just take Jones.
Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports, like his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google.
