Mike Fuller’s NHL Mock Draft 2013 picks
The 2013 NHL season is in now very recent history as the Chicago Blackhawks paraded the Stanley Cup around their city on Friday.
Focus has already shifted to Prudential Center in New Jersey where tonight’s 2013 draft will be held and the impact it’ll have on future seasons. It’s been intriguing to follow the buzz on the first pick all year because of the to-and-fro between Nathan MacKinnon and Seth Jones, with Jonathan Drouin and Alexander Barkov also getting an outside chance.
At the beginning of the season and through the lockout when there wasn’t too much to talk about MacKinnon was very much the favourite having been getting press for a number of years. Focus switched to Jones however after he helped lead the USA to the World Juniors title in January and having grown up in Colorado when the Avalanche won the draft lottery it all seemed very fitting. When the two players met twice in the Memorial Cup last month MacKinnon brought the speculation full circle by scoring a hat trick in both games and the Avs have now come out to say the centerman is their guy.
Indeed, with Erik Johnson on their roster, they have a prime example of why not to take a defenceman at No. 1, who you could argue has been the least successful first pick this century. As always there might well be some late trade action, but here goes my top 10:
No. 1 – Colorado Avalanche – Nathan MacKinnon – Center – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
I’ll hold the Avalanche to their word to nab MacKinnon at 1 and add to their already numerous options at center. When reading the opinions of various scouts a word that always seemed to crop up was “dynamic”, particularly because of his explosive skating ability. That coupled to a wicked quick release makes him a major goal threat and good enough to step into the big league straight away.
No. 2 – Florida Panthers – Seth Jones – Defence – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Florida took Erik Gudbranson in the top three a few years back and that is yet to pay off, however Jones is too good to drop any further. He simply possesses every tool required to become an elite two-way blueliner, happy to play shutdown defence whilst being capable of jumping in on the rush. Completing the package at 6”4 he’s physically imposing with a smooth stride to go along with it.
No. 3 – Tampa Bay Lightning – Jonathan Drouin – Left Wing – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
The best hands in the class, Drouin is supremely talented and actually outscored his teammate MacKinnon by a significant amount during the regular season. A devastating 105 points in 49 games in total, many of those spectacular plays. There’ll be a lot of talk about his need to put on some pounds but see the Bolts handling of Martin St Louis and this could be his successor.
No. 4 – Nashville Predators – Aleksander Barkov – Center – Tappara (Finland)
Barkov has already been mixing with the big boys in the SM-liiga for a couple of years and deserves to be in the conversation for top three, injury worries may well have cost him that high a landing spot. He’s an elite forward talent the Predators have been crying out for citing the lack of gamebreakers on their roster.
No. 5 – Carolina Hurricanes – Valeri Nichushkin – Left Wing – Chelyabinsk (Russia)
Big, power forward who’s going to be a nightmare to handle in front of the net. Although he needs to be coached in on how to improve his play without the puck when you put that with one of the Staal brothers you’re already halfway there.
No. 6 – Calgary Flames -Elias Lindholm – Center – Brynas (Sweden)
Calgary’s rebuild starts with Sweden’s best offering this year, Lindholm has already been compared to the great Peter Forsberg. His playmaking ability stands out and has been complemented on his strong hockey sense at such a young age.
No. 7 – Edmonton Oilers – Darnell Nurse – Defence – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
After taking three forwards with their three consecutive No. 1 picks the Oilers have to get some D here, it just so happens that Nurse is an excellent fit. Not dissimilar from Jones in terms of size but more rough around the edges so projects as a top two guy rather than as a franchise defenceman. Enjoys the hitting game and his uncle is former NFL QB Donovan McNabb, make of that what you will.
No. 8 – Buffalo Sabres – Sean Monahan – Center – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Monahan’s selling points are all about leadership skills and a strong two-way game, though it’d be unfair to say he’s not a gifted offensive player too. Your simple solid top 10 pick, he’ll go on to be an excellent second line center.
No. 9 – New Jersey Devils – Nikita Zadorov – Defence – London Knights (OHL)
Continuing the trend of defenders over 6”4, Zadorov is a bit of a wildcard in that he’s the most likely to slip down the table. The Devils have a history with nasty blueliners and I think they may take a punt. After taking the risk to come over to the CHL for this year the Russian hasn’t wasted any time making himself known.
No. 10 – Dallas Stars – Hunter Shinkaruk – Left Wing – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Superb name, great pickup for Dallas. They might be considered light on truly gifted offensive prospects and Shinkaruk is the best forward left out there. Loves to score goals and although he isn’t the biggest isn’t afraid to mix it up to get them.
