How Many 2013 Draft Picks Will Play In The NHL Next Season?

The 2013 NHL draft was judged to be both deep and top-end in terms of talent, perhaps moreso than any draft in recent memory (including the 2004 draft).  For these reasons, and because of cap issues,  there could be a record number of 18 year olds in the NHL in the 2013-14 season.n

Lets take a look at the top 10 picks to determine which of them might play in the league full time next season, and then pick a couple more darkhorses who could make the cut:

1. Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Nathan MacKinnon is congratulated by Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy after being introduced as the number one overall pick to the Colorado Avalanche during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

MacKinnon was prepared to go first overall, and after a season-long battle with Jones, ended up getting the spot.  Only 1 first overall pick since Ottawa drafted Chris Phillips in 1996 has the first overall pick not played in the NHL the next season.  That was Erik Johnson of the Blues. Alex Ovechkin also didn’t play the season after he was drafted, but there was no season to play, because of the lockout.

That trend should not change this year and MacKinnon should be a regular for the Avalanche.

2.  Aleksander Barkov, Panthers

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Aleksander Barkov poses with team executives after being introduced as the number two overall pick to the Florida Panthers during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Barkov has played against men in the Finnish Elite League for the better part of two seasons, so he is ready for the NHL challenge.  Also, playing for a Florida team that is desperate for offense and not very deep gives him a strong chance of being a full time NHLer.

3.   Jonathan Drouin, Lightning

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Jonathan Drouin poses for a photo with team executives as he is introduced as the number three overall pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Drouin has all the skills to be an NHLer, but has only 1.5 years of Major Junior under his belt.  He is talented enough to play in the NHL, but the maturity factor could keep him in Halifax for another season of development.  Although he would look good on the wing with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, so the Lightning might want to throw him into the fire.

My guess is they will start him in the NHL, and see how it goes for the first 10 game audition, and then make the final decision.

4.  Seth Jones,  Predators

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Seth Jones puts on a team jersey after being introduced as the number four overall pick to the Nashville Predators during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Jones has the maturity and the talent to be a full time NHLer, and the Predators would be a good spot for him to continue his development.  Jones might not partner with Shea Weber right off the bat, but learning under one of the best all-around defensemen in the game wouldn’t harm him.  Defensemen often develop a little bit slower, but Jones is ready now.

5.  Elias Lindholm, Hurricanes

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Elias Lindholm receives his team cap after being introduced as the number five overall pick to the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Lindholm is a centre, a position where the Hurricanes are not desperate.  However, if Eric Staal’s recovery takes him into next season, there might be an opportunity for Lindholm to get an audition and a chance to show his wares.  He is another candidate for the 10 game look-see.

6. Sean Monahan, Flames

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Sean Monahan poses with team officials after being introduced as the number six overall pick to the Calgary Flames during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

With his junior club in the middle of a rebuild, Monahan probably won’t get much accomplished in the OHL this season.  Combine that with the dearth of top end talent up the middle in Calgary and monahan probably won’t be back in Ottawa unless it is as a member of the Flames.

8.  Rasmus Ristolainen, Sabres

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Rasmus Ristolainen poses for a photo after being introduced as the number eight overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo needs help on defense, and Ristolainen could be a big (literally) part of the Sabres rebuild.  I don’t necessarily believe it will happen this year, and the Sabres might have learned a lesson with Grigorenko last year and ensure Ristolainen is indeed ready, which probably means at least a year in the AHL.

9.  Bo Horvat, Canucks

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Bo Horvat poses for a photo with team officials after being introduced as the number nine overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The creative forward could make the Canucks, but given the fact that they are in such trouble cap-wise Horvat is probably destined  to return the the Knights for a season. In fact, he is one of the few top picks who have yet to sign their entry level deal in the last 3 weeks.

10.  Valeri Nichushkin

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Valeri Nichushkin poses for a photo with team officials after being introduced as the number ten overall pick to the Dallas Stars during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Stars have dealt away a number of their veteran forwards in the last 4 months to commence a rebuild under new GM Jim Nill.  Nichushkin has played against men in the KHL and should be able to crack the Stars’ lineup right out of the box.

The rest:

Although there is the odd 18 year old who does stick after being picked outside the top 10, it is not very likely.  A couple of players that have a shot include Curtis Lazar (Ottawa), Michael McCarron (Montreal) and Max Domi (Phoenix).

Mar 3, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov (64) looks on during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Oilers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The record for players playing in the year of their draft (since the 2004-05 lockout)  that I could find was 6, in 2008 and 2009.

So MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov, Jones, Lindholm, Monahan and Nichushkin are all likely to make it, meaning one more from the group making the grade would make this could be the year of the youngsters.