Jones, QMJHLers headline first 2013 Mock Draft

Monday, 02.25.2013 / 12:00 PM / 2013 NHL Draft

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Jones, QMJHLers headline first 2013 Mock Draft
The 2013 NHL Draft has been regarded as one of the deepest of recent memory. However, that won't stop the draft experts at NHL.com from making their guesses.

The 2013 NHL Draft has been regarded as one of the deepest of recent memory, with talented players at every position.

How will teams sift through all that talent? We won't know for sure until the end of June, when all 30 teams convene at Prudential Center for the draft. However, that won't stop the draft experts at NHL.com from making their guesses.

Adam Kimelman, Mike G. Morreale and Steven Hoffner have analyzed the prospects and all 30 NHL teams and made their best guesses at which players could end up with which teams.

The draft order for this exercise is based on the League standings at the end of games on Friday, Feb. 22. Included in that order are three picks for the Columbus Blue Jackets -- their pick; the Los Angeles Kings' pick, acquired last season in the Jeff Carter trade; and the New York Rangers' pick, acquired as part of the Rick Nash trade this past summer.

All three of NHL.com's draft experts are unanimous in which players will go first -- defenseman Seth Jones of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, followed by center Nathan MacKinnon of the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. That's the same order the players are ranked in NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking.

After the first two picks, however, the NHL.com trio start to go in a few different directions. Are they the right directions? Check all three mock drafts and weigh in with your opinions.