ORDER
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TEAM
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PLAYER
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SKINNY
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1
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 |
Colorado
picks the most coveted player of the draft. Growing up in Denver, Jones will
play for his childhood team. Jones has great athleticism and work ethic,
combined with a great talent and vision on ice. Kid’s potential is unlimited.
NHL comparison: Alex Pietrangelo +
Keith Yandle
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2
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 |
Dale
Tallon will be ecstatic to pick MacKinnon, as he will be their go-to-guy with
Huberdeau for years to come. He possesses the most explosive first 3 steps of
the draft combined with a nose for the net. His defensive play is very well
rounded as well. NHL comparison:
Taylor Hall + Tyler Seguin
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3
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 |
With Marty
St.-Louis not getting younger, Tampa Bay will have the perfect winger for
Stamkos to reach the 70 goals plateau in the near future. Basically the
prospect with the best hands of this year’s draft and the past previous ones.
NHL comparison: Patrick Kane + Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
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4
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 |
Nashville
has been desperately in need of a franchise centerman and Barkov is a rare
breed that fits the bill. The most well rounded prospect of the draft and
considered as one of the best player not playing in the NHL right now.
Possess a huge frame and unremarkable vision. NHL comparison: Joe Thornton
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5
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The OHL’s
top prospect will be a great top 6 addition to the Hurricanes. Sean did not
have the progression everybody expected this year, but he was still a leader
for the poor 67’s. His hockey IQ and two-way game is very well rounded. NHL comparison: Jordan Staal/ Sean
Couturier
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6
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 |
HL’s
biggest riser. Max Domi has showed it all at the 2013 Memorial Cup. From the big
hit on McColgan to the slickest pass between the leg leading to Horvat’s goal
vs Portland. The 5ft10 - 194 lbs son of Tie Domi is the perfect combination
of skill and grit for the Calgary Flames. Head coach Bob Hartley had plenty
of time watching Domi closely as he was in Saskatoon all tournament long. NHL comparison: Zach Parise
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7
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With big
names still available, Edmonton will go for the best Swedish prospect since
Nicklas Backstrom. Lindholm is a great two way player with lots of grit. And
competitiveness. He can play both wing and center positions and will provide
the Oilers a completely dangerous top 6 for years to come. NHL Comparison: Poor man’s Peter Forsberg
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8
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Buffalo needs
help at every position. Until Miller goes, the rebuild should be starting from
the back end with their defense. Ristolainen has been praised as the
Finnish-Pronger. His cerebral play combined with physical play makes him the
2nd best defenseman available for the draft. NHL comparison: Chris Pronger-lite
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9
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Consider
this the gift from above. With Parise’s departure, New Jersey cannot only
rely on Kovy. We are talking about the potential steal of draft with the big,
mean and lightning fast Russian winger. If he were North American, he would
have challenged Nathan MacKinnon for the top forward of the draft class. NHL comparison: Ilya Kovalchuk
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10
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Since the
departure of James Neal, the Stars have seen the rise of Jamie Benn. But
their center position has been very thin and Wennberg’s addition is very
positive for their future. His 2-way play is very well developed and it
translated onto every international events he participated. NHL comparison: Henrik Zetterberg
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11
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Donovan
McNabb’s nephew comes from great family genes and is a tireless athlete. He
combines big frame and great all round abilities to become a key member of
the Flyers. He’s not flashy but does everything well. Got great praises from
his former NFL All-Star Quarterback uncle. NHL comparison: Braydon Coburn
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12
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Phoenix is
in desperate need of offensive spark in front and drafting Hunter will be
their best bet. Not only does he possess a knack for scoring, he has
explosive skating and a very good stickhandling. Reminds a lot of Phil Kessel
of the Maple Leafs.NHL comparison:
Phil Kessel
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13
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There’s
never enough defense, and the Jets will be settle with Zadorov and Trouba for
many years to come as their top 2 pairing. The towering Russian defenseman
combines strength and swift mobility. According to Dale Hunter, his head
coach with the Knights, his potential is unlimited. NHL comparison: Victor Hedman
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14
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With their
new management, John Davidson as the President and Jarmo Kekalainen as the
new man in charge, the rebuild has begun. The addition of Horvat just makes
sense. Horvat plays the game very efficiently and has a very good scoring
touch to it. NHL comparison: Mike
Richards/David Backes
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15
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Fucale is
the future of the Isles at the goaltending position. The Isles are already
filled with top end prospects both in offense and defense but not between the
pipes. Fucale is the premier goaltender of this draft, and his greatest
strength is his calmness in adversity.
NHL comparison: Cam Ward
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16
| * |
Baie-Comeau
is pretty far from St. Petersburg, but Zykov has made the commitment to go to
NA to get more ice time and exposure. And his effort both on and off the ice
has brought up all he deserved. Head on his shoulders, Zykov has made a name for
him by winning the QMJHL ROY award and scored 40 goals in his 1st
season in America. NHL comparison: Johan
Franzen
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17
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Since his
days with the Phénix of College Esther-Blondin in midget AAA, we knew that
Gauthier was to become something special. After his first season with the
Océanic, he has become a great 2-way 6ft5 center with great all-around play.
He might not become the next Lecavalier, but will be a great top 6 NHLer. NHL comparison: Sean Couturier
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18
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Hartman
was part of this year’s Gold medal USA team at the IIHF U20 WJC. He does
everything well, in all 3 zones and possesses a very good skating. Although
he’s only 5ft11 for now, expect him to grow a few inches because his uncle
and dad are respectively 6ft6 and 6ft2.
NHL comparison: Ryan Callahan
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19
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* |
Lazar was
touted at the beginning of the season as a lottery pick but he had a rough
year with the Oil Kings after a tremendous 2012 playoff run to the Memorial
Cup. However, Lazar is a player that breathers and lives for hockey. He will
never take a shift off, and has a tendency to show up when it matters the
most. Very clutch type player. NHL
comparison: Patrice Bergeron
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20
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* |
The
Grandview, MB native has seen his stock fall a bit this year, but he remains
an offensive dynamo on the blueline, combining a violent shot from the point
with a physical type of play to his game. The Flames will be ecstatic to have
Boowmeester’s replacement. NHL
comparison: Keith Yandle
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21
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The lone
50 goals scorer from the QMHJL, Mantha emerged as a dominant force in this
year’s draft. However, he showed the bad tendency to not show up every night
and a lack of physical play in his game despite a 6ft4 frame. If he makes the
right adjustments, he’ll become a dangerous threat in the NHL for the Leafs. NHL comparison: James Neal
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22
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Adam Erne
has chosen to not commit to Boston College in order to be coached by the one
and only Patrick Roy. He enjoyed 2 great seasons, turning him into a premier
powerforward for this year’s draft. Something that the Sharks have been
missing for a long time. NHL comparison:
Todd Bertuzzi
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23
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Something
has to change in Washington, but one thing remains, after last year’s
surprise pick of Forsberg, Washington made a huge mistake sending him off to
Nashville for absolutely nothing. With the addition of McCoshen, the Caps
will have in their hands a similar defenseman than their playoff rivals
Rangers, Ryan McDonagh. NHL
comparison: Ryan McDonagh
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24
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 |
Vancouver
native will be glad to be pick by Vancouver. Same thing goes for Vancouver,
things are going to change a lot this following offseason. Despite his small
size, Petan plays the game at a very high pace and possesses a great
skillset. Size doesn’t matter in this league anymore, talk to Calder finalist
and Vancouver Giants alumni, Brendan Gallagher. NHL comparison: Pierre-Marc Bouchard
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25
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After the
loss of Emelin on April 6th, everybody saw how defenseless were
the Habs. After a quick exit in the playoffs, it’s time to rebuild. By taking
the gold medalist with team Canada at the IIHF U18, Montreal will have one of
the best blueline prospect pool of the league. Morrissey plays the game on
the edge, with speed and mobility and possesses a hard shot from the
blueline. Consider him the Morgan Rielly of the 2013 Draft. NHL comparison: Morgan Rielly
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26
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Warren
Rychel played 2 seasons for the Ducks, but his son will probably play a few
more than him and more importantly, be a key player for the Ducks in the
future. Where his dad lack off Kerby has it all. Size, skill and a knack for
scoring. NHL comparison: Andrew Ladd
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27
| * |
With the 3rd
of their 3 1st round picks, Kekalainen will definitely love to
pick the Swedish sniper, Burakovsky. He is the typical pick of Kekalainen and
will become an important top 6 winger for the rebuilding Jackets. The future
is brighter in Columbus under Kekalainen and Davidson’s guidance. NHL comparison: Alexander Semin
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28
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It’s hard
to pass up on Morin, especially when he reminds a lot of Chara. He is very
raw at this point in his career, but the 6ft7 has untapped potential and is
already ahead of Chara at the same age. Plus, he is a punishing force with
his hits and his punches, something Montreal Canadiens fans will hate when
facing Morin with a Bruins jersey on him. Let the rivalry continue. NHL comparison: Tyler Myers
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29
| * |
And with
their final pick of their 3 1st rounders, the Flames will gladly
pick Theodore from the Seattle Thunderbirds. Theodore, along with Pulock
should be their top 2 pairing dmen for years to come. Offensive minded
defenseman are very valuable and Calgary might just have two excellent ones,
along with their franchise player,
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30
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Finally,
with the 30th pick overall, the Blackhawks will pick Klimchuk, a
key sniper in this year’s gold medal winning Canadian team at the IIHF U18
tournament. NHL comparison: Patrick
Sharp
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1st Round
Traded Draft Picks
•
16 - Buffalo receives
Minnesota's 2013 1st round pick, 2014 2nd round pick, G Matt Hackett and LW
Johan Larsson for Jason Pominville and a 2014 4th round pick.
•
19 - Columbus receives the NY
Rangers 2013 1st round pick, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon and Artem Anisimov
for Rick Nash, Steve Delisle and a conditional 3rd round pick (If the Rangers
make it to the Stanley Cup finals, the Blue Jackets keep the pick).
•
20 - Calgary receives St.
Louis' 2013 1st round pick, D Mark Cundari and G Reto Berra for D Jay
Bouwmeester. The 2013 1st round pick could become a 2013 4th round pick and
2014 1st round pick if the Blues miss the playoffs this season.
•
27 - Columbus receives Los
Angeles' 2013 1st round pick (Columbus decided not to use the pick 2012) and
Jack Johnson for Jeff Carter.
•
29 - Calgary receives
Pittsburgh's 2013 1st round pick, Kenneth Agostino and Ben Hanowski for Jarome
Iginla.
•
* - New Jersey must forfeit their 1st
round pick in either 2013 or 2014 as a penalty from the NHL for circumventing
the cap when signing Ilya Kovalchuk. They also forfeited their 2011 3rd round
pick and $3 million.
Nathan MacKinnon's goal vs Seth Jones
Max Domi's slick saucer pass between the legs to Bo Horvat
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| Top 3 ranked prospects: Nathan MacKinnon (Left) - Seth Jones (Center) - Jonathan Drouin (Right) |
