{"id":133978,"date":"2022-12-11T13:52:56","date_gmt":"2022-12-11T18:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=133978"},"modified":"2022-12-11T15:52:33","modified_gmt":"2022-12-11T20:52:33","slug":"2013-nhl-redraft-ten-years-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/12\/11\/2013-nhl-redraft-ten-years-later\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2013 NHL Draft Revisited"},"content":{"rendered":"

With all the talk of teams tanking for generational talent Connor Bedard<\/a> of the Regina Pats ahead of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, let\u2019s look back at the 2013 version when teams were vying for the services of Halifax Mooseheads superstar Nathan MacKinnon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We will list the top 10 teams in order of selection that year and select the player that best fits the needs of each team with the benefit of hindsight and 10 years of statistics. As you will see, many teams made wise choices in a very deep 2013 NHL redraft.<\/p>\n

2013 NHL Redraft 10 Years Later<\/h2>\n

1. Colorado Avalanche \u2013 F Nathan MacKinnon<\/a> (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL) – 1st round, 1st overall<\/h3>\n

To no one\u2019s surprise, the Avalanche selected the dominant centre, and the pick has worked out as they had hoped. The product of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, leads the draft class with close to 700 career points. And after a few playoff disappointments, he was handed the Stanley Cup last spring<\/a> as the team captain. Overall, he was a pick with high expectations that has lived up to his potential.<\/p>\n

2. Florida Panthers \u2013 F Aleksander Barkov<\/a> (Tappara Tampere, Finland) – 1st round, 2nd overall<\/h3>\n

The Panthers decided to go overseas with their first pick, selecting Finland\u2019s Aleksander Barkov<\/a>, who joined former Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen<\/a> as the highest-drafted Finnish player. While Barkov has not led his team to the Stanley Cup, he is second in scoring for this draft class and has been awarded the Lady Byng and Selke Trophies. Full marks to the Panthers on a great pick.<\/p>\n

3. Tampa Bay Lightning \u2013 F Jake Guentzel<\/a> (Sioux City Musketeers, USHL) — 3rd round, 77th overall<\/h3>\n

The Lightning have made few mistakes in the last decade, but selecting MacKinnon\u2019s teammate, Jonathan Drouin<\/a>, third overall was one. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins would not pick winger Jake Guentzel<\/a> until the third round. How good would Guentzel have looked playing with Steven Stamkos<\/a> or Nikita Kucherov<\/a>? Probably as good or better than he has playing with Sidney Crosby<\/a> and Evgeni Malkin<\/a>. The Stanley Cup run may have started sooner.<\/p>\n

4. Nashville Predators \u2013 F Bo Horvat<\/a> (London Knights, OHL) – 1st round, 9th overall<\/h3>\n

While not a bad pick, defenceman Seth Jones<\/a> was eventually traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> in a rare one-for-one hockey deal for centre Ryan Johansen<\/a>. The Predators could have skipped that step and drafted London Knights product Bo Horvat<\/a>, who is off to a flying start this season. He has been a solid 200-foot player his whole career, a hallmark of the organization, especially with head coach Barry Trotz in charge.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>