The 2013 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 30, 2013, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. As of 2025, 53 players from this draft remain active in the NHL.
Top Picks: Living Up to the Hype?
The Colorado Avalanche selected Nathan MacKinnon with the first overall pick. MacKinnon has not disappointed, leading the draft class in scoring and winning the Stanley Cup as team captain. Aleksander Barkov went second overall to the Florida Panthers. Barkov is second in scoring among his draft class and has earned both the Lady Byng and Selke Trophies. The Tampa Bay Lightning chose Jonathan Drouin third overall.
Hits and Misses
While the top picks have largely lived up to expectations, the draft also produced some notable "steals" and "busts". Dominik Kubalik, a seventh-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings, became a 30-goal scorer for the Chicago Blackhawks after several seasons in Europe. Andreas Johnsson, another seventh-round selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs, also became a 20-goal scorer. On the other hand, Samuel Morin (11th overall to Philadelphia), Emile Poirier (22nd overall to Calgary), and Hunter Shinkaruk (24th overall to Vancouver) have not made a significant impact in the NHL.
Where Are They Now? A Look at the Top 10
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): Remains a dominant force for the Avalanche and has already hoisted a Stanley Cup.
- Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers): Continues to be a key player for the Panthers, known for his two-way abilities and leadership.
- Jonathan Drouin (Tampa Bay Lightning): Drouin's career has been somewhat inconsistent.
- Seth Jones (Nashville Predators): After being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets and then to the Chicago Blackhawks, Jones has become a top-pairing defenseman. The Predators traded Jones for Ryan Johansen.
- Elias Lindholm (Carolina Hurricanes): Lindholm has become a top-line forward. He was traded to the Calgary Flames, then to the Vancouver Canucks, and eventually signed with the Boston Bruins.
- Sean Monahan (Calgary Flames): Monahan has had a solid career as a consistent scorer.
- Darnell Nurse (Edmonton Oilers): Nurse is a top defenseman for the Oilers.
- Rasmus Ristolainen (Buffalo Sabres): Ristolainen became a workhorse for the Sabres before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Bo Horvat (Vancouver Canucks): Horvat has been a solid player.
- Valeri Nichushkin (Dallas Stars): Nichushkin has had a somewhat up-and-down career but has shown flashes of potential.
The 2013 NHL Entry Draft produced a mix of successes and disappointments. While some top picks have become stars, others have struggled to live up to their potential. The draft also yielded some hidden gems in the later rounds, proving that talent can be found throughout the draft.
