Avalanche make a very questionable pick with their first choice in the 2025 NHL Draft
Photo credit: Dave Arnold / NEHJ
The Colorado Avalanche made their first pick of the 2025 NHL draft this afternoon as they selected UMass defenseman Francesco Dell'Elce.
The Avalanche did not have many pick in this year's upcoming draft due to a few trade at the deadline over the last couple years which resulted in them only getting their first pick this year in the third round.
Avalanche select UMass defenseman Francesco Dell'Elce in the third round of the NHL draft.
The Avs had their first pick of the 2025 NHL draft in the third round with the 77th pick and they decided to take UMass defenseman Francesco Dell'Elce with that pick.
"The Colorado Avalanche have selected defenseman Francesco Dell'Elce with the 77th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, their first selection of the day. Dell-elce played 94 games in the last two seasons, so he comes with a ton of experience." -Tiedtke
This selection is a surprising one for a few reasons since Dell'Elce is an over ager as he is 20 years meaning he was passed up on in the last two NHL draft since he has been eligible since 2023.
"Dell-elce is also an over-ager, as they call the players who have been passed over in previous NHL Drafts. He's 20 years old, so his path to the NHL could be quite different than the players who are 18 or 19 years old." -Tiedtke
The other reason that Avs fans might see this as a questionable pick is because they took him much higher than expected as he was supposed to be a fourth or fifth round pick and the Avs took him in the third.
"According to some sources, Dell'Elce had been projected as a fourth or fifth-round pick earlier in the year. My assumption is that he has worked his way up the boards of some teams, including the Avalanche, and that's a good sign if it is any indication that he could be something in the NHL." -Tiedtke
Most over agers do not go until at least the fifth round which is why this is a bit of a surprise for the Avalanche.
Last season at UMass, Dell'Elce finished with 7 goals and 17 assists in 40 games as a freshman to go along with a 18 +/- rating.
Source: Mile High Sticking
Colorado Avalanche 77th overall pick Francesco Dell-elce comes with experience
Colorado Avalanche 77th overall pick Francesco Dell-elce comes with experience
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