HOCK.ly - Future of Hockey Content June 25, 2013 | Page 17

1. Colorado Avalanche: Seth Jones, D

(Portland - WHL)

This could have been a tough call if not for Jones' Denver connections. He's the right pick for Greg Sherman...I mean Joe Sakic...I mean Patrick Roy. The Avs hope Jones and Erik Johnson form a deadly tandem on the blue line for many years.

2. Florida Panthers: Nathan MacKinnon, C/W (Halifax - QMJHL)

MacKinnon and Huberdeau will make the next dangerous NHL 1-2 punch down in Florida....assuming Dale Tallon remembers to fax the contracts this time. Panthers are now loaded down the middle when you also factor in Bjugstad, and MacKinnon will help cushion the likely loss of Stephen Weiss as a UFA.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning: Alexander Barkov, C (Tappara - FIN)

Some may be surprised at Barkov over Drouin, but the size advantage, his impressive stats in the Finnish men's league, and his late birthday (he's still only 17!) give the edge to Barkov here. He will slide right onto Stamkos' wing and contend for the Calder.

4. Nashville Predators: Jonathan Drouin, W (Halifax - QMJHL)

The Preds are so happy to see Drouin fall to them they practically run to the podium. Overall, they still need a #1 center, and they might be tempted by Elias Lindholm with Barkov off the board, but Drouin will fit nicely on the wing with David Legwand or Colin Wilson. His dazzling offensive skills will be an instant shot in the arm for a Predators team that seems consistently challenged offensively.

5. Carolina Hurricanes: Valeri Nichushkin, W (Chelyabinsk - KHL)

His dazzling skill has drawn comparisons to the recently-extended Evgeni Malkin, and he has negotiated an NHL out clause in his KHL contract. That's enough for the Canes, who will likely try him next to one of the Staals straight out of the gate (it doesn't matter which one).

6. Calgary Flames: Hunter Shinkaruk, LW (Medicine Hat - WHL)

This might seem like a bit of a reach with prospects like Lindholm, Nurse, and Monahan on the board, but Jay Feaster is restocking his farm system and likes the consistent scoring Shinkaruk has shown in the WHL. He was highly regarded at the beginning of the year and the Flames are happy to bring in a Western Canadian boy at 6.

7. Edmonton Oilers: Darnell Nurse, D

(Sault Ste Marie - OHL)

He has size, he's willing to mix it up, and he might be the best defensive defenseman in this entire draft. He will need some seasoning before stepping into the lineup, but the Oilers are going to make Nurse a cornerstone of their defensive rebuild.

8. Buffalo Sabres: Elias Lindholm, C

(Brynas - SEL)

Just like last year, a projected top forward prospect slips to the Sabres, though this year Lindholm didn't have as far to go. Lindholm was already playing 20 minutes a game and trusted with a 2-way role in the Swedish Elite League, and the Sabres will attempt to bring him over as soon as possible. The present is looking bleak, but the rebuild will start to bear fruit with Grigorenko, Girgensons, and now Lindholm up the middle. Terry Pegula also hopes this will open up the Swedish market for his fracked natural gas.

9. New Jersey Devils: Sean Monahan, C

(Ottawa - OHL)

Winter is coming in New Jersey, and Devils fans are rightly worried that they will forfeit an even higher pick than 9th overall next season. However, the hometown fans give a big cheer for Monahan, a responsible 2-way center with the kind of playmaking skill Lou Lamoriello loves. He likely won't make the team out of camp (though with their lack of depth he might), but he will be a building block as the Devils begin the search for their post-Brodeur identity.

10. Dallas Stars: Max Domi, C

(London - OHL)

Domi has the grit and work ethic of his father, Tie, minus the fists of fury but plus some phenomenal skating and playmaking abilities. He doesn't have size but he's the exact kind of player the Stars want to build around. New GM Jim Nill is happy to have him.

11. Philadelphia Flyers: Nikita Zadorov, D (London - OHL)

This one is almost too easy. Zadorov is already 6'5, 230, and GROWING. His physical play is elite, and he is responsible in his own zone. The Flyers faithful look forward to many years of him laying out Sidney Crosby, even if it gets called a penalty each and every time.

12. Phoenix Coyotes: Alexander Wennberg, C (Djurgarden - SEL)

He needs to add some size to hang in the NHL, but the Coyotes are happy with Wennberg's offensive instincts and willingness to go to the dirty areas. They are content to let him develop at his own pace.

13. Winnipeg Jets: Zach Fucale, G

(Halifax - QMJHL)

Our first goalie goes off the board to Winnipeg at lucky number 13. The Jets are in desperate need of goaltending depth in their system, and they think Fucale is the guy who will grab the reins in a few years and lead them to the promised land. It could be a safe bet, since Fucale has done nothing but win so far in his career.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Pulock, D (Brandon - WHL)

Columbus needs more offense from the blue line, and they get it from Ryan Pulock. His game isn't fancy, and he's not a dangler, but what he has is a big shot from the point that would look great on the Columbus back-end for many years to come. New GM Jarmo Kekalainen looks long and hard at countryman Rasmus Ristolainen but decides Pulock is his man.

15. New York Islanders: Bo Horvat, C/W

(London - OHL)

The Islanders have stunning depth at center with John Tavares, Ryan Strome, Frans Nielsen, Casey Cizikas, Brock Nelson, and Johan Sundstrom, but Bo Horvat is too good to pass up at 15. He has high-level hockey sense and is a plus player in all zones on the ice, making him quite possibly the most complete forward in this draft. Expect the OHL Playoff MVP to challenge hard for a spot on Long Island in training camp, but the Islanders are (recently) content to let him marinate and develop at his own pace.

16. Buffalo Sabres: Adam Erne, RW

(Quebec - QMJHL)

After adding Elias Lindholm at 8th overall, the Sabres pick budding power forward Adam Erne, who de-committed from Boston University to play major junior. Erne has a solid north-south game, and while he's a few years away the Sabres are happy to wait, especially with Lindholm in the fold.

17. Ottawa Senators: Rasmus Ristolainen, D (TPS Turku - FIN)

The Senators have somehow assembled a deep prospect pool at all major positions and grab the proverbial Best Player Available, who in this case is Ristolainen. He's big, he skates well, and he can be responsible in his both end while still displaying offensive potential. It's a very safe bet that we will see him on the blue line in Ottawa for many years to come.

18. Detroit Red Wings: Curtis Lazar, C (Edmonton - WHL)

Lazar's offensive upside in the professional ranks is questionable, but he is incredibly responsible in his own end and has a strong work ethic. The Wings live for players like this, and as per their MO they will let Lazar marinate for as long as he needs.

19. Columbus Blue Jackets: Kerby Rychel, C (Windsor - OHL)

With Ryan Pulock in the stable, the Blue Jackets continue their prospect rebuild with a do-it-all forward in Rychel, who put up 40 goals in the OHL this past season. Rychel can skate, he's defensively responsible, has a solid work ethic, and has a ceiling as a top-6 scoring forward. Jarmo Kekalainen is happy to start his tenure with these 2 players.

20. San Jose Sharks: Robert Hagg, D (MoDo - SEL)

The Sharks add a "safe" defensive prospect in Swede Robert Hagg. Hagg has high-end hockey smarts and is reliable in his own end. He can improve his decision-making, but he can stay in the Swedish Elite League with increasing responsibility for at least another year, if not 2. If nothing else, Hagg could be Douglas Murray 2.0, without the Cornell degree.

21. Toronto Maple Leafs: Anthony Mantha, LW (Val D'Or - QMJHL)

Mantha scored goals at a stunning pace in the Q, but he slips because he has a late birthday and barely missed the cutoff for the 2012 draft. He will have to prove to the Leafs, and the teams that passed on him, that his success was not a result of an "over-age" year. Mantha has a solid north-south game and a deadly shot from below the circles. He's likely a project, and he needs to use his size better, but the Leafs are happy to have him.

22. Calgary Flames: Samuel Morin, D (Rimouski - QMJHL)

With a high-end prospect like Shinkaruk on board and another pick at the end of the round, the Flames jump on a bit of a project in Samuel Morin. His skating is exceptional for a player of his size (6'7!), and he played a key shutdown role on Canada's U-18 squad, which won gold last month. Morin uses his size well, and he is willing to mix it up, making him a great fit for Calgary.

23. Washington Capitals: Valentin Zykov, LW (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)

The Capitals love their Russians, and they pick up one who led all first-year QMJHL forwards in goals and points. Zykov needs to work on his skating, but he has shown flashes of high-end offensive skill combined with a willingness to get involved in the physical game. The Capitals will be happy to add him to their prospect pool, which is significantly thinner since the surprising trade of Filip Forsberg at the deadline.

24. Vancouver Canucks: Josh Morrissey, D (Prince Albert - WHL)

Morrissey's physicality is a concern, but his high-end hockey sense and offensive skills. He is a dynamic offensive defenseman with plus skating and shot skills, and the Canucks hope he will be a fixture on their blue line and power play for many years.

25. Montreal Canadiens: Andre Burakowsky, LW (Malmo - SEL)

For once, we did not take the easy way out and simply plug in Gauthier to the Habs. Burakowsky, like most 18 year old prospects, needs to improve his strength, but his skating and grit are top-notch, and his work ethic is at least equal to his skill. The Habs will probably leave him in Sweden for another year or 2 to help him get top-line minutes against men, and they hope it will pay dividends.

26. Anaheim Ducks: JT Compher, C (US NTDP)

The Illiniois-born Compher was the best player on the USA's U18 team in Sochi. He doesn't have many natural physical gifts, but he seems to do everything well on the ice and plays a very up-tempo style. He's committed to the University of Michigan for the fall, and as far as Wolverines go the Ducks are hoping for a little more Mike Cammalleri and a little less Mark Mitera.

27. Columbus Blue Jackets: Mirco Mueller, D (Everett - WHL)

The Blue Jackets are thrilled that Mueller is still on the board at 27. The big (6'3) Swiss import came over to Everett and has been mentored by Ryan Murray, the 2nd overall pick from the 2012 draft. The Blue Jackets hope that relationship will continue and bear fruit for them. Mueller's hockey sense and positioning are top-notch, but he needs to work on his puck skills.

28. Calgary Flames: Frederik Gauthier, C (Rimouski - QMJHL)

The Flames got skill up front with Shinkaruk, size on the back-end with Morin, and now they round out their 1st round with size up front in Frederik Gauthier. Gauthier's offensive upside is questionable at higher levels, but his defensive game is solid and he plays a full 200-foot game on the ice. The Flames hope he anchors their 3rd line for many years to come and would be thrilled if he turns out to be a similar player to Paul Gaustad.

29. Dallas Stars: Ryan Hartman, RW (Plymouth - OHL)

Hartman was a key cog on Team USA, which won gold at the World Junior Championships. He is a tough player with scoring upside, and his tail-off in production at the end of the year was a result of a shoulder injury. The Stars are happy to have him here.

30. Chicago Blackhawks: Chris Bigras, D (Owen Sound - OHL)

The Hawks love defensemen like Chris Bigras. He defends at a high level - some have called him a rock - and makes up for his lack of size with exceptional positioning. He makes good outlet passes from his own zone and can join the rush if needed.