I have been asked a few times if the 2013 NHL Draft stacks up to the 2003 NHL Draft. It’s an easy answer for me, no. I really like many of the players at the top end of the 2013 Draft and I think there are prospects who will be drafted in the top 60 who are capable of making solid contributions to NHL teams someday. The problem with this years edition of the draft is, for me anyway, it falls off a cliff around the end of the 100 player mark. Only time will tell but I can’t see the 2013 Draft producing the sheer volume ( 44.5%) who played NHL games after being drafted in the 2003 Draft.
So what does the 2013 NHL Draft offer? Let take a look at the group at the top I have not so creatively referred to as the Magnificent seven.
1. Nathan Mackinnon, Center, Halifax Mooseheads: For me it was not that big a decision to rank Nathan at the top over Seth Jones. The explosion in his first few steps, his scoring ability and compete level are what jumps out at me. I think his skills translate well when making the jump to the NHL. I got to know this kid a little bit this year via phone conversations and some texts throughout the season. The fans will love this kid, media too.
2. Seth Jones, defense, Portland Winterhawks: Here is what one NHL scout said to me referring to why he has Jones ranked 1st overall during a conversation we had discussing Mackinnon, Jones and Jonathan Drouin, “For me it was the World Juniors, he was a man amongst boys there.” I heard that from a few scouts. I was not in Russia for that tourney. I was in Quebec taking a week long look at next year’s crop of stars at the World Under 17 challenge. I watched many of the games on TV and Jones was impressive there. I think it’s important to not scout on two week windows during any draft season. Which 2 week window should we watch? September 30th – October 15th? January 1st – January 15th? or perhaps take a long look during the Memorial Cup? Jones is big, can skate, is smart and has offensive capabilities. For me it wasn’t what was bad about Jones, it was Mackinnon just being the better choice.
3. Jonathan Drouin,
Left Wing, Halifax Mooseheads: This kid was probably my favourite player to watch since Stamkos and I’d probably even give him the nod there as far as entertainment factor goes. If you haven’t seen him, youtube him, there are some great highlight videos. One of our QMJHl scouts told me about this kid in his QMJHL draft year. He raved about him. I was eager to see him. I watch him last season and not disappointed. This season I saw him in August before the Ivan Hlinka tourney. We ranked him 10th overall in our pre-season rankings. I’m embarrassed by that. I can take some solace in that a few of my competitors didn’t rank him in the top 30 in their own rankings. Drouin is probably the smartest player in this draft. Combine that with hands of a magician and elite creativity and you will understand why his numbers are fantastic.
4. Valeri Nichushkin,
Right Wing, Chelyabinsk KHL : When I departed for Sochi, Russia in April for the World Under 18 Championships I thought this kid had a chance to prove he was the best player in the draft. He is that good. I returned home after a watching a player that looked tired. He was rushed to the tourney via private jet after his KHL team was bounced from the playoffs. He showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to be as dominant as he was in earlier tournaments in Ufa and Sweden. Valeri made the draft a whole lot more interesting when he announced a few weeks ago that he had an out clause in his KHL contract and that he wanted to play in the NHL next season. He’s big, his shot is lethal and he is a proven goal scorer. So where does he end up? Assuming there is no trade up to get him from a team down the draft order, I think he slides past his ranking and could end up in a place like Buffalo or Dallas. If you are a fan of one of those teams, congratulations.
5. Alex Barkov, Center, Tappara: The first time I saw this kid was two years ago in Calgary at the World Junior tournament. He was impressive. He didn’t warm the bench like some young players do. This season he played with men playing pro hockey. He posted big numbers up until and injury ended his season. I’m told from NHL teams that his injury is not a concern. He can score, he is big and dominant on the puck and he is a playmaker as well. I expect him gone at #4 to Nashville. I can’t imagine him dropping out of the top 6.
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So your team is picking later in the draft. Here are some other players our staff and myself like in the first round and beyond.
Chris Bigras, Defense, Owen Sound Attack: One of my risers this year. I liked him every time I saw him. He has more offensive ability than he gets credit for. He is a smart player. He logged a ton of minutes and shutdown the best the league had to offer. Other than not being a huge kid, I don’t see any real weaknesses. Ranked 26th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Olivier Bjorkstrand, Right Wing, Portland Winterhawks: I liked him when I saw him last year and I have been impressed with him this season. The kid has an NHL release and he has impressed me with his compete level all over the ice. I like his scoring upside at the next level. Ranked 32nd overall by HockeyProspect.com
Madison Bowey, Defense, Kelowna Rockets: I love the feet, his skating is high end. I have seen flashes of a physical game which I like. He has PP 2 upside and moves the puck well. I think he has lots of room to get even better. Has the occasional brain cramp. He was good in Sochi at the U18. Ranked 15th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Remi Elie, Left Wing, London Knights: One of our sleepers. I love the way he plays a pro game already. He does all the little things right. You won’t see him turnover pucks on failed dangles. You will see soft chips and relentless fore checking. This kid finishes every check. His shot is a cannon. Remi has a lot of upside. I love watching him play. I spoke to him earlier this season, he had played the point on the power play that day. He said Dale just decided to throw him out there, the kid let a few bombs go that day. Ranked 45th overall by HockeyProsect.com
Bo Horvat, Center, London Knights: If the Oilers don’t trade up, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was their pick. He had a slump this year that seemed to end about the same time that he changed his (brand of) skates. He started beating Defensemen wide and played with more confidence. He made more plays with the puck. Bo is a complete player, the kind that coaches rely on in the last minute of tight games. I expect him gone by pick number fifteen at the latest. His playoffs were outstanding. Ranked 11th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Morgan Klimchuk, Left Wing, Regina Pats: I am a fan of this kid. Liked him all year long and I liked his energy in Sochi, minus a few lapses. I often refer to players that coaches will like and want to have on their teams. I think he’s one of those guys. Ranked 23rd overall by HockeyProspect.com
A quick mock draft despite the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of them. A few tidbits:
I think Edmonton might try to trade up in an attempt to get Monahan. That would change the draft quite a bit right off the hop. It would probably cost them a lot to move up though. If Buffalo passes on Nichushkin, my next best guesses would be the Devils or Dallas. I think the Devils will try to trade back and take Fucale, but would be willing to still grab him number 9 as well. The Islanders were a tough one to mock. I could see Zykov as the forward but I went with the Dman. If the Coyotes don’t take Nurse he could end up being the pick by the Jets. Philly and Risto seem like a match made in heaven. He has a nasty streak, I really like him.
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smartest player in this draft. Combine that with hands of a magician and elite creativity and you will understand why his numbers are fantastic.
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So your team is picking later in the draft. Here are some other players our staff and myself like in the first round and beyond.
Chris Bigras, Defense, Owen Sound Attack: One of my risers this year. I liked him every time I saw him. He has more offensive ability than he gets credit for. He is a smart player. He logged a ton of minutes and shutdown the best the league had to offer. Other than not being a huge kid, I don’t see any real weaknesses. Ranked 26th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Olivier Bjorkstrand, Right Wing, Portland Winterhawks: I liked him when I saw him last year and I have been impressed with him this season. The kid has an NHL release and he has impressed me with his compete level all over the ice. I like his scoring upside at the next level. Ranked 32nd overall by HockeyProspect.com
Madison Bowey, Defense, Kelowna Rockets: I love the feet, his skating is high end. I have seen flashes of a physical game which I like. He has PP 2 upside and moves the puck well. I think he has lots of room to get even better. Has the occasional brain cramp. He was good in Sochi at the U18. Ranked 15th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Remi Elie, Left Wing, London Knights: One of our sleepers. I love the way he plays a pro game already. He does all the little things right. You won’t see him turnover pucks on failed dangles. You will see soft chips and relentless fore checking. This kid finishes every check. His shot is a cannon. Remi has a lot of upside. I love watching him play. I spoke to him earlier this season, he had played the point on the power play that day. He said Dale just decided to throw him out there, the kid let a few bombs go that day. Ranked 45th overall by HockeyProsect.com
Bo Horvat, Center, London Knights: If the Oilers don’t trade up, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was their pick. He had a slump this year that seemed to end about the same time that he changed his (brand of) skates. He started beating Defensemen wide and played with more confidence. He made more plays with the puck. Bo is a complete player, the kind that coaches rely on in the last minute of tight games. I expect him gone by pick number fifteen at the latest. His playoffs were outstanding. Ranked 11th overall by HockeyProspect.com
Morgan Klimchuk, Left Wing, Regina Pats: I am a fan of this kid. Liked him all year long and I liked his energy in Sochi, minus a few lapses. I often refer to players that coaches will like and want to have on their teams. I think he’s one of those guys. Ranked 23rd overall by HockeyProspect.com
A quick mock draft despite the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of them. A few tidbits:
I think Edmonton might try to trade up in an attempt to get Monahan. That would change the draft quite a bit right off the hop. It would probably cost them a lot to move up though. If Buffalo passes on Nichushkin, my next best guesses would be the Devils or Dallas. I think the Devils will try to trade back and take Fucale, but would be willing to still grab him number 9 as well. The Islanders were a tough one to mock. I could see Zykov as the forward but I went with the Dman. If the Coyotes don’t take Nurse he could end up being the pick by the Jets. Philly and Risto seem like a match made in heaven. He has a nasty streak, I really like him.
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