Avalanche Trade Forwards To Buffalo For Second-Round Picks

DENVER (CBS4)- The Colorado Avalanche have traded two forwards in exchange for three players and a second-round draft pick.

As a result of the trade, the Avs acquired defensemen Nikita Zadorov, forward Mikhail Griorenko, forward J.T. Compher and a second-round pick, 31st overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres.

In exchange, the Avs traded forwards Jamie McGinn and Ryan O'Reilly to Buffalo.

The second round of the 2015 NHL Draft is Saturday.

Additional Information from the Colorado Avalanche:

Zadorov, 20, was Buffalo's first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft. He appeared in 60 games as a rookie for the Sabres this past season, tallying 15 points (3g/12a) with 51 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound defenseman made his NHL debut early in the 2013-14 campaign, appearing in seven games (1g/0a) before returning to his junior team, the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. He went on to be named to the 2014 OHL Second All-Star Team that spring.

A native of Moscow, Russia, Zadorov won the bronze medal with his country at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden. He led all Russian defensemen with four goals and five points during that tournament. In 2012-13, Zadorov helped London win the OHL championship and advance to the Memorial Cup. He led all OHL rookies with a +33 plus/minus rating during that regular season and ranked second among first-year defensemen with 25 points (6g/19a) en route to being named to the OHL All-Rookie Team.

Grigorenko, 21, was Buffalo's first-round choice (12th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft. He appeared in 25 games for the Sabres this past season, tallying six points (3g/3a). The 6-foot-3, 209-pound center has played in 68 career games, notching 14 points (6g/8a).

A native of Khabarovsk, Russia, Grigorenko won medals for his country at three IIHF World Junior Championships, 2012 (silver), 2013 (bronze) and 2014 (bronze). Prior to turning pro, Grigorenko played three seasons of junior hockey for the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL), who were coached by current Avalanche Head Coach/Vice President of Hockey Operations Patrick Roy. In his first season with Quebec in 2011-12, Grigorenko was named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team, QMJHL All-Rookie Team and named the Canadian Major Junior Rookie of the Year.

Compher, 20, was a second-round pick (35th overall) of the Sabres in the 2013 NHL Draft. The Northbrook, Illinois, native recently completed his sophomore season at the University of Michigan, tallying 24 points (12g/12a) in 34 games. As a freshman in 2013-14, Compher was named the Big 10 Rookie of the Year after recording 31 points (11g/20a) in 35 games, which also earned him spots on the Big 10 Second All-Star Team and Big 10 All-Rookie Team.