Top 10 prospects

1. T.J. Hensick, C
2. Ryan Stoa, C
3. Chris Stewart, RW
4. Kyle Cumiskey, D
5. Denis Parshin, RW
6. Nigel Williams, D
7. Tom Fritsche, LW
8. Raymond Macias, D
9. Codey Burki, C
10. Johnny Boychuk, D

The Colorado Avalanche are in a transitional period as they try to move from the glory days of Forsberg, Sakic, and Tanguay to a bright future anchored by relative newcomers Peter Budaj, Wojtek Wolski, and Paul Stastny. And with four picks in the first two rounds of the NHL entry draft, the Avs are looking to add some pretty solid complementary pieces to the talented youth foundation they've already built.

The club enters the draft with its own first rounder, 14th overall. In addition to their own second-round selection, they acquired Calgary's second-round selection when they shipped Alex Tanguay to the Flames in return for Jordan Leopold and a pair of second rounders. Later that year, they added Anaheim's second-round selection for peddling off George Parros.

As part of the Parros trade, Anaheim obtained the right to swap third rounders with Colorado (although the Ducks' selection - along with the right to swap -- is now property of the Tampa Bay Lightning). This, in effect, will drop the Avs to the end of Round 3, and the Avalanche has the rest of their selections, save for their sixth-round pick, which was traded to San Jose in return for Michael Vernace.

What that means is that the Avalanche have an immense amount of flexibility before them in the draft. With the 14th pick in Round 1, along with the 14th, 18th, and 30th picks in the second round, Colorado may be able to package a few selections to move up in the first round, acquire a second first rounder, or peddle picks for more immediate help.