The Next Ones 2013 NHL Entry Draft Guide

The 2013 NHL Entry Draft takes place on June 28th and 29th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey

Consider this your live home page for information for the 2013 NHL entry draft. Bookmark and check back often as it will be constantly updated leading up to hockey’s version of Christmas. THW’s 2013 NHL Entry Draft Guide – The Next Ones is your quintessential draft resource featuring:

• Detailed unique prospect profiles in The Next Ones format
• Mock Drafts
• Exclusive rankings
• Fantasy based rankings
• Team Previews
• Looking ahead to the 2014 draft and beyond

This year the 2013 NHL Entry Draft takes place on June 28th-29th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. For prior year's detailed draft previews:

• 2012 NHL Entry Draft Preview
• 2011 NHL Entry Draft Preview
• 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preview
• 2009 NHL Entry Draft Preview

 

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Highlights:

The Next Ones 2013 NHL Draft Preliminary Rankings

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Notes Up Front:

• Draft rankings are based on the BPA (Best Player Available). This is not an attempt at predicting who will be drafted at a certain position. Mock drafts are constructed by various THW writers.
• Check back to this article often. A series of prospect profiles, in The Next Ones format, will be released regularly, leading up to the June NHL entry draft in New Jersey.
• The rankings will be updated below simultaneously as the prospect profiles are released, with links to the respective profile. .
• 'THW Close-Up' heading is meant to be a synopsis of each prospect.
• Scout's Honour highlights what the hockey scouting world (and occasionally coaches) have to say about the prospect.
• 'NHL Player Comparisons' are simply intended to give the reader a feel for the player's style and ultimately likely equal the player's ceiling potential being reached. It is often an exercise in futility, but does offer up some value. If you see the suffix '-lite' or 'Jr.' after a NHL player comparison, it simply refers to the fact the prospect likely has no chance to reach that high a potential, but rather resembles or plays a style reminiscent of the respective NHLer.
• 'Scouting Combine Performance': included where available to give the reader some insight on the prospects fitness levels. This is definitely not a sole basis for drafting a prospect, but might be a deciding factor when considering too closely rated players. It is also a good resource when a prospect is coming back from an injury as guidance to what his health level is.
• 'Risk/Reward Analysis': Both 'Risk' and 'Reward' rated out of '5'. For the risk rating, the higher the rating out of five, the higher the risk of the prospect not turning out as projected. For the reward rating, also out of five, the higher the rating, the higher the potential the prospect has. For the latter, of course, the prospect has to still reach that potential.
• 'Fantasy Hockey Potential': Offensive and defensive ratings out of 10 are given for forwards and defenseman based on perceived potential in each area. Offensive potential is obviously the key factor in most fantasy hockey leagues, but defensive potential should prove useful for those armchair hockey simulator GMs.
• Legend: ETA = Estimated Time of Arrival to NHL

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Rankings:

Sean Monahan could ultimately end up being one of the best players to come out of the 2013 NHL Draft class (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

• The Next Ones 2013 NHL Draft Preliminary Rankings (Chris Ralph)
• 2013 NHL Draft Top 60 Alternative Rankings ' Fall Edition (Ryan Pike)
• From the Scouting Notebook: 2013 NHL Entry Draft Rankings (Brendan Ross)

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2012 NHL Draft Flashback: to get an idea of what to expect for 2013 draft coverage:

• 2012 NHL Draft: The Next Ones Final Rankings (Top 150)
• 2012 NHL Entry Draft Fantasy-Based Top 100 Prospect Ranking
• 2012 NHL Mock Draft: The Next Ones ' 2 Rounds (Chris)

 

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Mock Drafts:

• An Early-Season 2013 NHL Mock Draft

Essential Links:

•  2013 NHL Mock Draft Database (DC Pro Sports Report)

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The Next Ones: Prospect Profiles:

(click on name/link for detailed prospect profiles) (*THW Ranking in brackets)

• Anton Slepyshev

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THW Combine Draft War Room Prospect Profiles:

This series is a new feature by Eldon MacDonald and edited by Chris Ralph.

• Nathan MacKinnon
• Jonathan Drouin
• Adam Erne
• Anthony Duclair
• William Carrier
• Frédérik Gauthier
• Jan Ko''álek
• Nick Sorensen
• Scott Oke

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THW Overtime – Draft Feature Articles:

• Divining A Solution: The Quest of the NHL Draft
• The NHL Entry Draft: Investment or Gamble?

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THW Prospect Features:

• Nathan MacKinnon Screams Star Material
• Hunter Shinkaruk 2013 NHL Draft Prospect - Interview
• Sean Monahan Suspended: Are His Days in Ottawa Over?
• Jonathan Drouin Storming His Way Through the Draft Rankings
• Kujawinski a Keeper in Kingston
• Tie Domi's Son Max Turning Heads In Future Watch
• Tri-City's Eric Comrie May be First Goalie Taken in 2013 NHL Draft
• Matt Buckles Leads Among OJHL Prospects

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Other 2013 Draft Feature Articles:

• 2013 Draft Hopeful Thomas Welsh Decommits From Penn State

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International Tournaments Prospects Coverage:

• World Juniors: Top 10 2012 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Performances Part 1
• World Juniors: Top 10 2012 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect Performances Part 2: Overagers

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Fantasy-Based Draft Coverage:

• 2012 NHL Entry Draft Fantasy-Based Top 100 Prospect Rankings

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Team Specific Prospect Articles:

• Anaheim Ducks:

1. Ryan Lasch Continues To Silence His Critics
2. Work Ethic Paves The Way For Admirals' Rookie Chris Wagner

• Boston Bruins:

1. Boston Bruins Prospects ' Fall 2012 Rankings: The Top Five
2. Boston Bruins Prospects ' Fall 2012 Rankings: 10-6
3. Boston Bruins Prospects ' Fall 2012 Rankings: 20-11
4. Boston Bruins Prospects ' Fall 2012 Rankings: 30-21
5. 2012 NHL Draft: Grading the Boston Bruins
6. 2012 NHL Draft: Boston Bruins Make a Splash with Selection of Malcolm Subban

• Buffalo Sabres:

1. The Buffalo Sabres' 2012 NHL Draft, Part 1
2. Buffalo Sabres Draft Strategy Part 2
3. Top 10 Buffalo Sabres Draft Picks

• Calgary Flames

1. Reviewing the Calgary Flames 2012 Draft Class
2. Digging into the prospect depth of the Calgary Flames

• Carolina Hurricanes

1. 2013 World Juniors: Will Ryan Murphy Finally Crack Canada's Roster?
2. Carolina Hurricanes may deal first round pick
3. Draft prospects for the Carolina Hurricanes

• Chicago Blackhawks

1. Chicago Blackhawks Most Likely Draft Prospects Part 1: Goalies
2. Chicago Blackhawks Most Likely Draft Prospects Part 2: Forwards
3. Chicago Blackhawks Most Likely Draft Prospects Part 3: Defensemen
4. 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Would Chicago Still Pick Patrick Kane 1st overall?

• Colorado Avalanche

1. Colorado Avalanche Goalie Prospects Off to Impressive Starts

• Columbus Blue Jackets

1. Jackets Prospects Open Season Strong in Springfield
2. Blue Jackets Beat: Resurrection, Domination, Direction & Drivel
3. John Davidson Is the Right Person to Fix the Columbus Blue Jackets

• Dallas Stars

1.  Stars Prospects Fighting For World Juniors Roster Spots
2. Draft Rewind: Grading Dallas' Picks in 2011
3. Looking Ahead: Top 10 Dallas Stars Prospects

• Detroit Red Wings:

1. Could Petr Mrazek be Another Late Round Steal for the Wings?
2. Defensemen, Goaltenders Should Be Detroit Red Wings' Draft Priorities

• Edmonton Oilers:

1. Edmonton Oilers Top 10 Prospects: Fall 2012 Edition
2. At the Draft Table: Edmonton Oilers
3. Edmonton Oilers Top 10 Prospects Not Named Nugent-Hopkins

• Florida Panthers

1. Panthers Prospect Update: How Are The Kids?
2. The Florida Panthers Have An Incredibly Deep Prospect Pool

• Los Angeles Kings:

1. Where in the World Are the Los Angeles Kings?
2. Locked Out in Los Angeles: The Positives

• Minnesota Wild:

1. Minnesota Wild Prospects Eligible for the 2013 WJHC
2. Minnesota Wild Upcoming Prospects Guide
3. The Future of Minnesota Wild Goaltending is a Bright One
4. Seventh Round Picks, Chuck Fletcher's Goldmine?

• Montreal Canadiens

1. Montreal Canadiens 2012 Draft Picks Review: Grade A
2. Alex Galchenyuk Brings Excitement To Habs Nation
3. Montreal Canadiens Prospect Report: Where's the depth at Left Wing?

• Nashville Predators:

1. The Predators Defense gets an Extreme Makeover

• New Jersey Devils:

1. 2012 NHL Entry Draft: Putting the cherry on New Jersey's Draft?
2. Meet the Newest Devils Prospect: Stefan Matteau
3. 2012 NHL Entry Draft: Track Record Of New Jersey?

• New York Islanders:

1. 2012 NHL Entry Draft: Eyes On The Islanders

 

• New York Rangers:

1. New York Rangers: Five Under the Radar Prospects

• Ottawa Senators:

1. Ottawa Senators Top Ten Prospects

 

• Philadelphia Flyers:

The Philadelphia Flyers have used just one primary logo – THIS logo, in fact – in franchise history.

1. Stint in AHL Could Benefit Sean Couturier

 

• Phoenix Coyotes:

1. Phoenix Coyotes' Talent Pool in No Short Supply

• Pittsburgh Penguins

1.  Next NHL CBA, not Playoff Exit, Will Set Course for Penguins' Offseason

• San Jose Sharks:

1. Ten San Jose Sharks Prospects to Watch for in 2012

• St. Louis Blues:

1. Blues Prospects Making Best of NHL Lockout

• Tampa Bay Lightning:

Under Construction…

• Toronto Maple Leafs: 

1. Recap: Brian Burke & the Toronto Maple Leafs 2012 NHL Draft
2. Morgan Rielly: The Only One The Maple Leafs Wanted
3. Draft Schmaft: The Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL Entry Draft First Round (I)
4. Draft Schmaft ' The Maple Leafs First Round Draft 1968-70: Part II Selwood and Sittler

• Vancouver Canucks:

1. Vancouver Canucks NHL Draft Picks 2012: The Owners Manual

• Washington Capitals:

1. Washington Capitals' Kevin Marshall Brings Toughness To Hershey Bears' Defense

• Winnipeg Jets:

1. Can OHL Scoring Forecast Success for Jets Scheifele?

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Post-Draft Analysis:

• Top 10 NHL 2012 Draft Team Performances

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The Next, Next Ones – Beyond the 2012 Draft:

Connor McDavid: Exceptionally talented prospect eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)

• The Next Ones NHL 2014 Draft Rankings ' An Early Look
• Connor McDavid Impresses Early: What Makes Him Exceptional?
• Aaron Ekblad: Barrie's 'Exceptional' Talent
• 2012 OHL Priority Selection Draft Results
• WHL 2012 Bantam Draft Top 30

Eric Cornel (right): selected 3rd overall in 2012 OHL Priority Draft by Peterborough Petes

• International Spotlight: Villehart Kuusamo

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Extra Reading:

• Book Review: The Art of Scouting by Shane Malloy
• Essential Hockey Read: Behind The Moves
• Late Round Larceny: THW’s Shawn Reznik looks at the dubious task of drafting goalies.
• Draft Day: The Curse of the Sixth Pick
• NHL Draft: The History of the 5th Overall Pick
• The Age Old Question: CHL vs. NCAA?
• The Russian Non-Factor ' NHL Theory May Become Obsolete
• What's the best round to draft a goalie? by Ryan Pike
• The Best Late Round Gems Of The NHL Entry Draft Since 2000 (Part I ' '00-'02 Drafts)
• The magical fourth year: 10 players you want to draft for next season! by Fred Poulin
• Translating AHL Success To The NHL
• 2007 NHL Entry Draft: Was it the Gift or the Curse?
• NHL Draft: Top-10 All-Time Best Selections with 5th Overall Pick

John Tavares enters into his 4th NHL season in 2012-13 (Icon SMI)

Excerpt:

In the era of in-depth analysis, sabermetrics and advanced statistics, more and more fantasy experts are talking about the magical fourth season for NHL players. Most of you would ask, 'What is exactly the magical fourth season?' Well, roughly speaking, offensive players make big jumps in their production in years two through six. In the fourth year, 24 percent of players see an increase in the offensive numbers by around 25 percent. In 2011-12, several players saw their offensive numbers jumped considerably compared to the previous season. The most notable were James Neal, Blake Wheeler, Max Pacioretty, Wayne Simmonds and Jamie McGinn.

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Undrafted Prospects:

• The Next Undrafted Gems? Ben Duffy And Josh Currie Lighting It Up
• The Next Undrafted Gems? Andrey Makarov & Michael Houser

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Video(s):

Under Construction…

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Resource(s):

• The Next Ones website is your online hockey prospect eNewspaper featuring the greatest prospect resources on the web. If there's a website covering hockey prospects worth following, it should be linked on The Next Ones (TN1), from the files of The Hockey Spy.

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Special thanks to fellow THW  writers and integral contributors:

• Andy Eide
• Shawn Reznik  
• Ryan Pike
• Anatoliy Metter
• Margann Laurissa
• Ross Bonander
• Fred Poulin
• Ian C McLaren

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THW's The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph Christopher Ralph is THW's senior prospect and draft analyst & a Managing Editor at THW.

Follow ChrisRalphTHW on Twitter as he infiltrates, dissects and analyzes all happenings of hockey prospects & the NHL entry draft.

This document is the intellectual property of Christopher Ralph and cannot be used or duplicated in any way without expressed written consent. Any use of this document without the expressed written consent of Christopher Ralph will result in public exposure and legal prosecution.

This article was originally published at: The Hockey Writers.