NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 30: Nathan MacKinnon (c) puts on his Colorado Avalanche jersey as he stands with head coach Patrick Roy (l) and Joe Sakic (r) after MacKinnon was selected number one overall in the first round by Colorado during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center on June 30, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
For the first time in a while, the Colorado Avalanche are not relying on the draft for an immediate impact player.
The Colorado Avalanche are in unfamiliar territory — unreliant on the results of this year’s draft.