Avalanche Select Justin Barron 25th Overall

With the 25th Pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Colorado Avalanche Have Selected Justin Barron From the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

About Justin Barron

Justin Barron is another player that could surprise some people in a few years. Although he fell down many people’s rankings over the past few months, no one should be surprised to see him taken where he was.

A 6-foot-2, 198-pound, right-shot defenseman, Barron has all the tools one would want in a modern-day defenseman. After an injury-plagued season last year, he will look to lead the Mooseheads on a deep run this year as their captain. It will be a few years before Barron makes the jump to the pros, but he will be worth the wait.

THW Prospect Profile Excerpt

“His rough season got worse as he was diagnosed with a blood clot that forced him to miss almost three months of the season, which could be a factor why his play was hindered this year. After missing some significant game time coupled with an inconsistent season, Barron’s name started to fall in the rankings.

Justin Barron Halifax Mooseheads
Justin Barron could be a very reliable defenseman in a few years. (Photo: Halifax Mooseheads)

All this considered, there’s still a lot to like about Barron’s game. He still has the ability to be a strong and capable all-around defender as he has shown in the past. He’s able to play in any situation while keeping attacking forwards off to the side and providing great separation from the player and the puck. Even in one-on-one battles, Barron is very sound and always plays a strong defensive-minded game. Not to mention he brings a physical edge when he needs to.

He doesn’t have a ‘wow factor’ and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Barron always likes to keep things simple while having the talent to provide a steady offensive presence. He has a smooth skating stride that allows him to move the play forward while making a strong first pass in order to create a quick transitional play. He’s extremely mobile for his size and possesses a strong shot on the point. His smarts, size and two-way play are what will make him a great pick for any team looking for a defenseman who has a strong, well-rounded game.”

Full prospect profile can be found here

How This Affects the Avalanche’s Plans

The Avalanche add another great player to their embarrassment of riches. With amazing young defenseman such as Cale Makar, Conor Timmins and Bowen Byram, the Avalanche blue line will soon be the envy of the league.

Related: THW Draft Guide

With Barron, the Avalanche get a very good puck mover. He is great at making plays under pressure and is very reliable when the game gets tough. Although he will take a few seasons to make the NHL, Avalanche fans will soon know who he is.