No. 2 – First-rounder looks first-rate

It appears that the Avs’ first round draft pick will be here for the long haul.

Mikko Rantanen has impressed since he arrived with the Avalanche. He scored in the teams’ intra-squad scrimmage earlier last month, and has stood out offensively on a team that hasn’t quite found its groove.

That makes another top of the draft pick that the Avs are going to rely on. It’s approaching now or never time for some of their other high draft picks to deliver playoff berths and wins.