SenShot 2014 NHL Mock Draft – Picks 21-25

#23 – Colorado Avalanche

Mar 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach

looks on from behind the bench against the Chicago Blackhawks in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Avalanche have stockpiled a team full of youthful enthusiasm and with Patrick Roy behind the bench they made a shocking run to first place in the Central Division.  A speed bump in game 7 against the Wild saw them bow out in an upset, but this team is still on the rise.

The Avs are very shallow on the wings, which is good because at this point the best player available might just be the former teammate of Nathan MacKinnon, russian import forward Ivan Barbashev.  He has great puck possession skills and good offensive instincts.  The one drawback might be his lack of consistent effort, but there is no doubting his ability.