Denver, Colo. - While they might not have had as many draft picks as the Pittsburgh Penguins (13!), the Colorado Avalanche still made the most of their three picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Francesco Dell'Elce, Linus Funck, and Nolan Roed all had their life-changing dreams come true on Saturday as they were drafted in the 3rd, 4th, and 7th rounds, respectively. But... How did the Avalanche only have three picks?
Fun fact: They only had two - up until Friday afternoon.
Their 3rd round pick (77th overall) came by way of the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade that saw the departure of Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood. With zero salary retained on both of those players, the Avalanche received forward prospect Gavin Brindley, a conditional 2nd-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and the 3rd-round pick that turned into Francesco Dell'Elce on Saturday.
Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood Traded to Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche Get Picks and Prospect Gavin Brindley in ReturnDenver, Colo. - With just $1.2 million in cap space, the Colorado Avalanche were slated to head into this year's free agency period with a bit of a handicap.
Francesco Dell'Elce
- Drafted: 2025, 3rd round, 77th overall by the Colorado Avalanche
- Age: 20 (June 23, 2005)
- Birthplace: King City, Ontario, Canada
- Position: Defense
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6'1" / 185 cm
- Weight: 185 lbs / 84 kg
Based on the average of prominent scouting rankings, Dell'Elce was ranked ~96th among draft-eligible prospects.
With their 3rd round, 77th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Colorado Avalanche have selected Francesco Dell'Elce, a 20-year-old defenseman from Ontario.
— Bailey Curtis (@baileyycurtis) June 28, 2025
In his freshman year at UMass last year, he tallied 24 points (7g/17a) in 40 GP.
Via Elite Prospects: "Dell’Elce’s an…
Linus Funck
- Drafted: 2025, 4th Round, 118th overall by the Colorado Avalanche
- Age: 18 (May 10, 2007)
- Birthplace: Luleå, Sweden
- Position: Defense
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6'3" / 190 cm
- Weight: 183 lbs / 83 kg
Based on the average of prominent scouting rankings, Funck was ranked 109th among draft-eligible prospects.
With their 4th round, 118th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Avalanche select Linus Funck, an 18-year-old defenseman from Luleå, Sweden.
— Bailey Curtis (@baileyycurtis) June 28, 2025
With Luleå HF J20 last season, he collected 28 points (5g/23a) in 48 GP.
From Elite Prospects: "Funck uses his reach to kill rushes…
Nolan Roed
- Drafted: 2025, 7th Round, 214th overall by the Colorado Avalanche
- Age: 19 (October 25, 2005)
- Birthplace: White Bear Lake, Minnesota, USA
- Position: Center
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5'11" / 180 cm
- Weight: 185 lbs / 84 kg
Based on the average of prominent scouting rankings, Roed was ranked 164th among draft-eligible prospects.
With their 7th round, 214th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, their final pick in this draft, the Colorado Avalanche have selected Nolan Roed, a 19-year-old center from White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
— Bailey Curtis (@baileyycurtis) June 28, 2025
Last season with the USHL's Tri-City Storm, he collected 60 points (27g/33a) in…
More Information From Draft Day
Per Avalanche Director of Amateur Scouting Nick Pryor following the draft, Funck and Roed are still question marks regarding their attendance at Prospect Development Camp starting on Tuesday, July 1st, but Dell'Elce is expected to be there.
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