2013 NHL First Round Mock Draft – Part II

by Simon Servant, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine – translated by Chantal

MONTREAL, QC — After my 2013 NHL First Round Mock Draft – Part I, here come positions 11 to 20. In this installment, the Buffalo Sabres will pick for a second time, and the Columbus Blue Jackets get two of their three first round picks.

Before we get started, here’s a summary of my mock draft so far:

1) Avalanche – Seth Jones (D)

2) Panthers – Nathan MacKinnon (C)

3) Lightning – Jonathan Drouin (LW)

4) Predators – Aleksander Barkov (C)

5) Hurricanes – Valeri Nichushkin (RW)

6) Flames – Elias Lindholm (C)

7) Oilers – Darnell Nurse (D)

8) Sabres – Sean Monahan (C)

9) Devils – Bo Horvat (C)

10) Stars – Max Domi (C)

Picks 11 to 20

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Pick 11: NIKITA ZADOROV – London Knights (OHL). Defenseman, left shot, 6’5″ 228 lbs.

Season Stats: 63 GP, 6 G, 19 A, 25 PTS, 54 PIM

Ranking: 8th ISS – 22nd in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

Philadelphia’s offense is already fearsome, the problem lies on the back-end. Zadorov isn’t exactly Chris Pronger, but he could be a suitable replacement. He’s a complete defenseman capable of generating offense with his outlet pass, and take care of his defensive zone with his big body and strength along the boards. He’s also an excellent skater for such a big guy.

NHL Comparable: Victor Hedman

Flyers last three 1st round picks: Scott Laughton (20th – 2012), Sean Couturier (8th – 2011) and Luca Sbisa (19th – 2008)

Notable 1st round picks: Brian Propp (14th – 1979), Peter Forsberg (6th – 1991) and Claude Giroux (22nd – 2006)

PHOENIX COYOTES

Pick 12: HUNTER SHINKARUK – Medecine Hat Tigers (WHL). Left winger, left shot, 5’11” 175 lbs.

Season Stats: 64 GP, 37 G, 49 A, 86 PTS, 44 PIM

Ranking: 13th ISS – 6th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

Shinkaruk’s size might be the only reason he doesn’t get picked up in the top 10. If the Coyotes are looking to score goals and put on a good show, he’s their man. He’s a poor man’s Jonathan Drouin, a little less talented but showing all the same abilities. Great skater and passer, he’s an offensive threat who will always find open ice in possession of the puck. He’s the kind of player who could become a star in the NHL if he’s well supported.

NHL Comparable: Jordan Eberle

Coyotes last three 1st round picks: Henrik Samuelsson (27th – 2012), Connor Murphy (20th – 2011) and Brandon Gormley (13th – 2010)

Notable 1st round picks: Daniel Brière (24th – 1996), Blake Wheeler (5th – 2004) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (6th – 2009)

WINNIPEG JETS

Pick 13: FRÉDÉRIK GAUTHIER – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL). Centerman, left shot, 6’4″ 215 lbs.

Season Stats: 62 GP, 22 G, 38 A, 60 PTS, 26 PIM

Ranking: 18th ISS – 8th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

Aside from Bryan Little and Mark Scheifele, the Jets could use a little sprucing up down the middle. Gauthier has shown a nice progression in two years, and had a good rookie season in Rimouski. He’s a power forward, strong along the boards and attentive to his defensive game. His wrist shot is a constant threat on offense. He’s the guy that gave Canada the win in the U18 tournament against USA. He’s a good skater with great hands.

NHL Comparable: Jordan Staal

Jets last two 1st round picks: Jacob Trouba (9th – 2012), Mark Scheifele (7th – 2011)

Notable 1st round picks: Dale Hawerchuk (1st – 1981), Teemu Selanne (10th – 1988) and Keith Tkachuk (10th – 1990)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Pick 14: ALEXANDER WENNBERG – Djurgardens IF (Allsvenskan). Centerman, left shot, 6’1″ 183 lbs.

Season Stats: 46 GP, 14 G, 18 A, 32 PTS, 14 PIM

Ranking: 15th ISS – 5th in European Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

In this section of the draft, Wennberg is probably my favourite forward. He represents well the type of player Sweden develops: fast, quick hands, hard working in all three zones and persistent along the boards. He’s a complete player with obvious talent as a play maker. Columbus has an interesting back-end with Wisniewski, Tyutin, Johnson and Murray, but some added punch on offense would make them a team to watch in the next few years.

NHL Comparable: Nicklas Backstrom

Columbus last three 1st round picks: Ryan Murray (2nd – 2012), Ryan Johansen (4th – 2010) and John Moore (21st – 2009)

Notable 1st round picks: Rick Nash (1st – 2002), Derick Brassard (6th – 2006) and Jakub Voracek (7th – 2007)

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Pick 15: ANTHONY MANTHA – Val D’Or Foreurs (QMJHL). Right winger, left shot, 6’3″ 200 lbs.

Season Stats: 67 GP, 50 G, 39 A, 89 PTS, 71 PIM

Ranking: 24th ISS – 10th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

In the last two years, the Islanders have drafted no less than 11 defensemen, so I don’t see how they could pass up on a forward in this first round, especially one like Mantha. He’s a naturel scorer with good skating abilities who’s always in good position to get that puck behind the goalie. He’s good at protecting the puck, which tends to get frustrating for opposing d-men. His defensive game needs to improve and he sometimes goes MIA during games, although he usually finds a way to contribute.

NHL Comparable: James Neal

Islanders last three 1st round picks: Griffin Reinhart (4th – 2012), Ryan Strome (5th – 2011) and Nino Niederreiter (5th – 2010)

Notable 1st round picks: Denis Potvin (1st – 1973), Mike Bossy (15th – 1977) and Pat LaFontaine (3rd – 1983)

BUFFALO SABRES

Pick 16: RASMUS RISTOLAINEN – TPS Turku (SM-Liiga). Defenseman, right shot, 6’3″ 207 lbs.

Season Stats: 52 GP, 3 G, 12 A, 15 PTS, 32 PIM

Ranking: 11th ISS – 4th in European Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

Ristolainen could easily get selected in the top 10, but the reason I have him at 16 is because of the previous team’s needs. If those teams do decide to go with the “best available player” philosophy, he won’t be sitting in the stands this long. I believe he is this year’s draft most complete defenseman after Seth Jones. An offensive threat thanks to his outlet pass and heavy shot, he’s also a good puck carrier, plays a physical game and excels in his zone. He’s the kind of mobile defenseman that would stabilize Buffalo’s blue line.

NHL Comparable: PK Subban

Draft pick acquired from the Minnesota Wild in the Jason Pominville trade.

Earlier draft pick: Sean Monahan (8th)

OTTAWA SENATORS

Pick 17: RYAN PULOCK – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL). Defenseman, right shot, 6’1″ 211 lbs.

Season Stats: 61 GP, 14 G, 31 A, 45 PTS, 22 PIM

Ranking: 14th ISS – 12th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

The Sens forward pipeline is looking good, not so much on defense. Pulock would be a good choice, a right-handed d-man, similar to Ristolainen mentioned above. Good skater, agile, offensively sound and never out of position on defense. He too has a good old heavy shot that could do damage on the power play.

NHL Comparable: Shea Weber

Sens last three 1st round pick: Codi Ceci (15th – 2012), Mika Zibanejad (6th – 2011) and Stefan Noesen (21st – 2011)

Notable 1st round picks: Alexei Yashin (2nd – 1992), Marian Hossa (12th – 1997) and Jason Spezza (2nd – 2001)

DETROIT RED WINGS

Pick 18: ANDRE BURAKOWSKY – Malmö Red Hawks (Allsvenskan). Left winger, left shot, 6’1″ 179 lbs.

Season Stats: 43 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 PTS, 8 PIM

Ranking: 16th ISS – 6th in European Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

The Red Wings have always had a lot of success with their Swedish draft picks, and this year won’t be any different. Burakowsky is pure offensive talent paired with very fast skating abilities. With his hands, he could stickhandle through you in a phone booth. He’s a goal scorer always in a good position to find the back of the net. He would have to improve his defensive game to play in Detroit’s system as they heavily rely upon the left winger for support.

NHL Comparable: Taylor Hall

Wings last three 1st round picks: Riley Sheahan (21st – 2010), Thomas McCollum (30th – 2008) and Brendan Smith (27th – 2007)

Notable 1st round picks: Marcel Dionne (2nd – 1971), Steve Yzerman (4th – 1983) and Niklas Kronwall (29th – 2000)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Pick 19: VALENTIN ZYKOV – Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL). Right winger, right shot, 6’1″ 215 lbs.

Season Stats: 67 GP, 40 G, 35 A, 75 PTS, 60 PIM

Ranking: 19th ISS – 7th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

Valentin Zykov is all Russian. By that I mean that he possesses all the qualities we usually see in those players: a hard precise shot, quick hands and good skating abilities. He also uses his big body in the crease and along the boards. He has benefited from the North American game and demonstrated a lot of character in the playoffs this year. With two picks in the top 20, Columbus could build themselves a devastating offense.

Comparable LNH : Alexander Semin

Pick acquired from the Rangers in the Rick Nash trade.

Earlier in this draft: Alexander Wennberg (14th)

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Pick 20: CURTIS LAZAR – Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL). Centerman, right shot, 6′ 198 lbs.

Season Stats: 72 GP, 38 G, 23 A, 61 PTS, 47 PIM

Ranking: 12th ISS – 20th in North American Skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau

It’s a little difficult to evaluate the situation in San Jose because no players drafted in the last four years have actually played for the Sharks. There does seem to be a lack of offensive power so why not go with a natural scorer? Lazar has the talent to fill up the opponent’s net, but he’s also very involved in the physical game and has the speed to recover defensively. He’s the type of player that would fit in any system and could be relied upon in any game situation.

NHL Comparable: Ryan Kesler

Sharks last three 1st round picks: Tomas Hertl (17th – 2012), Charlie Coyle (28th – 2010) and Logan Couture (9th – 2007)

Notable 1st round picks: Patrick Marleau (2nd – 1997), Milan Michalek (6th – 2003) and Devin Setoguchi (8th – 2005)

The final stretch

And they were 20. Stay tuned for the third and final part of this 2013 NHL first round mock draft.