Mike G. Morreale's 2013 Mock Draft

1. Colorado Avalanche - Seth Jones, D, Portland (WHL)

It would be stunning if the Avalanche didn't take the premier defensive prospect available. It's rare to get a player on the blue line with Jones' size (6-3.5, 205), fluidity, leadership and smarts. He had 14 goals and 56 points in 61 games as a rookie in the WHL.

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

The most valuable player of the Memorial Cup appears NHL-ready, possessing a spectacular combination of speed and toughness. MacKinnon had 32 goals and 75 points in 44 regular-season games, and seven goals and 13 points in four Memorial Cup games.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning - Jonathan Drouin, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)

The CHL player of the year is a dynamic playmaker with speed, shiftiness and creativity. He set a team mark with a 29-game point streak, during which he had 65 points, and finished the season with 41 goals, 105 points and a plus-48 rating in 49 games.

4. Nashville Predators - Aleksander Barkov, C, Tappara (FIN)

The Predators need a dynamic scorer, and this 6-foot-3, 209-pound two-way center could fill that need. A shoulder injury sidelined him for the Finnish league playoffs, but he still had 21 goals and 48 points in 53 games.

5. Carolina Hurricanes - Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Chelyabinsk (RUS)

The 6-4, 202-pound Russian is determined to play in the NHL next season. He is skilled, tough, has a nose for the net and is clutch is big situations.

6. Calgary Flames - Darnell Nurse, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The Flames have options here, but Nurse might be too good to pass up. He defends well, plays with an edge, is good off the transition and has a powerful shot. Had 12 goals, 41 points, a plus-15 rating and 116 penalty minutes.

7. Edmonton Oilers - Rasmus Ristolainen, D, TPS (FIN)

After choosing a forward with their first pick in each of the past six drafts, the Oilers likely will grab one of the smartest and strongest European defenders on the board. The 6-4, 207-pound right-handed shot is a solid skater and effective at both ends of the ice.

8. Buffalo Sabres - Elias Lindholm, C, Brynas (SWE)

The two-way center is in the too-good-to-pass-up stage at this point. Regarded as one of the finer two-way European forwards in the draft, Lindholm possesses all the necessary tools to succeed at the next level.

9. New Jersey Devils - Hunter Shinkaruk, C/LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)

A near clone of Zach Parise; deftly skilled, smart, deceptive and explosive, the left-handed shot can bring fans out of their seats. He had 37 goals and 86 points in 64 games.

10. Dallas Stars - Ryan Pulock, D, Brandon (WHL)

The Stars are in need of some punch on the blue line and Pulock fits the bill. He has one of the hardest shots in this year's draft class and is a team leader and big-time power-play performer.

11. Philadelphia Flyers - Sean Monahan, C, Ottawa (OHL)

There aren't many on the draft board as big, smart and determined as Monahan. A leader in every sense, the 6-2.25, 187-pound left-handed shooter excels on faceoffs, the power play and the penalty kill.

12. Phoenix Coyotes - Nikita Zadorov, D, London (OHL)

The Coyotes could use some physical defensemen in their pipeline, and there aren't many better than the 6-5.25, 221-pound left-handed shooting Russian. A good skater with a great compete level, Zadorov is strong and physical and makes opponents pay the price.

13. Winnipeg Jets - Frederik Gauthier, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)

The Jets have a need for a top-flight center and this 6-4.5, 214-pounder has climbed the ranks on Central Scouting's list. He plays a 200-foot game, and had 22 goals, 60 points, a plus-22 rating and 46-percent success rate on faceoffs.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Valentin Zykov, LW, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

The leading point scorer among QMJHL rookies would be a good fit. He had 40 goals and 75 points in 67 games. He possesses smarts, quick hands, a good shot and is a shootout specialist.

15. New York Islanders - Alexander Wennberg, C, Djurgarden (SWE)

Wennberg might just be below elite status, but he is a proven goal-scorer and a tremendously gifted worker. He had 14 goals and 32 points in 46 games for Djurgarden in Sweden's minor league.

16. Buffalo Sabres (via Minnesota Wild) - Mirco Mueller, D, Everett (WHL)

After locking up a top forward earlier in the draft, the Sabres will shift to the back end and this 6-3.25, 184-pound Swiss import who could turn out to be a steal at this stage.

17. Ottawa Senators - Max Domi, C/LW, London (OHL)

Domi led the Knights in goals (39) and points (87) in 64 games. He doesn't have the mean streak of his father, Tie, but instead is a quick, smart contributor on the power play who relishes the big moments.

18. Detroit Red Wings - Shea Theodore, D, Seattle (WHL)

The Red Wings have a need along the blue line and Theodore, a 6-1.75, 178-pound left-handed shot is a solid skater with hockey sense and a big shot, is good off the transition and effective at running the power play.

19. Columbus Blue Jackets (via New York Rangers) - Zach Nastasiuk, RW, Owen Sound (OHL)

If the Blue Jackets want to continue filling the cupboard with solid offensive talent, Nastasiuk is a potential second-line power forward who exceled as a penalty killer.

20. San Jose Sharks - Ryan Hartman, RW, Plymouth (OHL)

Hartman won a gold medal with the U.S. at the 2013 World Junior Championship. Plays with heart and courage and would be a fantastic fit for the Sharks.

21. Toronto Maple Leafs - Bo Horvat, C, London (OHL)

The 6-foot, 206-pound Horvat is solid, high-end competitor who is aggressive on the forecheck and finishes checks. He plays physical, is good on special teams and is respected by teammates.

22. Calgary Flames (via St. Louis Blues) - Zachary Fucale, G, Halifax (QMJHL)

It'll be tough to pass on the best goalie available when Miikka Kiprusoff, 36, isn't getting any younger. Fucale went 45-5-3 with a 2.35 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and two shutouts in 55 regular-season games.

23. Washington Capitals - Anthony Mantha, RW, Val-d'Or (QMJHL)

The 6-3.75, 190-pound sniper one day could help alleviate some pressure from Alex Ovechkin. Mantha skates well for his size, is good on the power play, has good hockey IQ and was big in shootouts. Only draft CHL draft prospect to score 50 goals.

24. Vancouver Canucks - Kerby Rychel, LW, Windsor (OHL)

The 6-0.75, 205-pound left-handed shot is a smooth skater with speed, agility and playmaking ability. Rychel enjoys the physical game, will drop the gloves if necessary and contributes to the power play. Had 40 goals in 68 games.

25. Montreal Canadiens - Chris Bigras, D, Owen Sound (OHL)

The 6-0.5, 211-pound two-way defenseman was the No. 6 defenseman on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters. Bigras is a hard-worker who had eight goals, 30 assists and a plus-35 rating in 68 games.

26. Anaheim Ducks - Curtis Lazar, C/RW, Edmonton (WHL)

Lazar is a versatile forward who will fill a long-term need among the top nine. The 5-11.75, 190-pounder has great speed and a nose for the net. He closed the regular season with 30 goals and 44 points over the last 45 games to finish with 38 goals and 61 points.

27. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Los Angeles Kings) - Robert Hagg, D, Modo Jr. (SWE-JR)

The two-way defender is strong, aggressive and capable of unleashing a good, accurate shot from the point. He was one of the surprise performers for silver medal-winning Sweden at the 2013 WJC.

28. Calgary Flames (via Pittsburgh Penguins) - Ian McCoshen, D, Waterloo (USHL)

The big two-way defender plays with an edge, defends well and has a great point shot. McCoshen had 11 goals and 44 points in 53 games, but also brings a physical edge to his game.

29. Dallas Stars (via Boston Bruins) - William Carrier, LW, Cape Breton (QMJHL)

The 6-1.5, 198-pound left-shot forward is a relentless puck-pursuer with good hockey sense. He reminds some scouts of a young Patrice Bergeron with his hard work, faceoff acumen, big-play potential and leadership skills.

30. Chicago Blackhawks - Andre Burakovsky, LW, Malmo (SWE)

The 6-1, 178-pound left-hand shot has excellent acceleration and is clever in traffic. His hands and vision complement great playmaking skills. He had 11 points in 43 games in Sweden's second tier.

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