First Overall in the 2013 NHL Draft?

[PsychoticPondGoons]

So ex-Flames GM Craig Button's got these as his Top 5

1. Seth Jones 1 Portland (WHL)
2. Nathan MacKinnon 2 Halifax (QMJHL)
3. Aleksander Barkov 3 Tappara (FIN)
4. Jonathan Drouin 4 Halifax (QMJHL)
5. Valeri Nichushkin 5 Chelijabinsk 2 (RUS)


From that list I'll say Seth Jones goes first and it's a no brainer simply because of his pedrigree and most teams want to land a franchise type defenseman to anchor their blueline. This guy should be franchise all the way! Yeah!

I'll say Drouin will also go 2nd or 3rd just because of his skill level and the euro factor and teams being a little gun shy with burning their franchise building picks on Russians and Finns. Maybe if a Swed were in the mix like Elias Lindholm. I said maybe. LOL

[JohnnyWeissflog]

My favourite is fellow countryman Sasha Barkov Jr.
However he will picked at nr. 3 at best since we Finns are always underrated in annual drafts.

Big size, great vision and unbelievable hockey sense 

[snugerud]

Underated?   Did you guys even medal at the WJHC? 

Just messing with you.  I thought Finland deserved a much better finish than they got.  They lost a pretty key player early and seemed to get drained as the tourny went on. 

[snugerud]

actually i shouldnt say much,  canada didnt medal either.   

[PigsRule]

...
I'll say Drouin will also go 2nd or 3rd just because of his skill level and the euro factor and teams being a little gun shy with burning their franchise building picks on Russians and Finns. Maybe if a Swed were in the mix like Elias Lindholm. I said maybe. LOL

did u forget we now have representation here in FNHL ... haha

i personally think drouin has a chance at #2... a slim chance.
but i'll say MacKinnon because Jones isn't as a lock for #1 without a true mean streak.

[dickiedunn]

So ex-Flames GM Craig Button's got these as his Top 5

1. Seth Jones 1 Portland (WHL)
2. Nathan MacKinnon 2 Halifax (QMJHL)
3. Aleksander Barkov 3 Tappara (FIN)
4. Jonathan Drouin 4 Halifax (QMJHL)
5. Valeri Nichushkin 5 Chelijabinsk 2 (RUS)


From that list I'll say Seth Jones goes first and it's a no brainer simply because of his pedrigree and most teams want to land a franchise type defenseman to anchor their blueline. This guy should be franchise all the way! Yeah!

I'll say Drouin will also go 2nd or 3rd just because of his skill level and the euro factor and teams being a little gun shy with burning their franchise building picks on Russians and Finns. Maybe if a Swed were in the mix like Elias Lindholm. I said maybe. LOL

Totally agree.

[PsychoticPondGoons]

My favourite is fellow countryman Sasha Barkov Jr.
However he will picked at nr. 3 at best since we Finns are always underrated in annual drafts.

Big size, great vision and unbelievable hockey sense 

  I think everyone remembers how hyped Olli Jokinen was when the Kings picked him 3rd overall. Do you think Barkov's better or about the same as Olli?

[JohnnyWeissflog]

I think Jokinen had more pure skills, but Barkov is a lot more ready package as a whole. NHL ready first or second line center in 1-2 years. Maybe Columbus will pick him since their new GM is from Finland 

And also Jokinen was well known for not being to nicest and most down to earth guy around

[PigsRule]

TSN analyst + ex-Calgary Flames GM Craig Button's NHL mock draft has Seth Jones going 1st overall to the NHL's

Barkov still 4th...
Drouin remains 3rd to
Nate MacKinnon 2nd to

LINK to Button's first 14 mock NHL draft picks.
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=93427

Wonder if FHNL's will draft Jones???
Should just tell the gang so everyone else can plan. what do ya say San Jose???

[Burkes Boys]

I've been thinking about who to draft first overall. Seth Jones is a force but is he the real deal on the blueline or another Erik Johnson? Nate MacKinnon is good but was he good because of Jonathan Drouin and vice versa. I'm clearly leaning towards one of the top three. I'll get back to you guys soon enough.

Wonder if FHNL's will draft Jones???
Should just tell the gang so everyone else can plan. what do ya say San Jose???