The 2013 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 30, 2013, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. More than a decade later, it's time to look back and see where the top picks are now and how their careers have unfolded.
The Top Picks: A Decade Later
Here's a look at how some of the top picks from the 2013 NHL Entry Draft have fared:
- Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): Selected first overall, MacKinnon has been a cornerstone for the Avalanche. During his rookie season in 2013-14, MacKinnon helped lead the Avalanche to a division championship en route to winning the Calder Memorial Trophy. He has consistently been a high-scoring forward, leading the Avalanche to a Stanley Cup victory in 2022. In 2024, he won the Hart Trophy after a 140-point season.
- Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers): Taken second overall, Barkov has become a star center for the Panthers. Over his first seven years in the NHL, Barkov became one of the top players at his position. He is known for his two-way play and leadership abilities.
- Jonathan Drouin (Tampa Bay Lightning): Drouin, picked third overall, had a promising start but his career has been somewhat inconsistent. He made a splash when he debuted in the NHL, scoring 21 points in 35 games, 14 of those points came in the last 15 games he played. Unfortunately, he would be traded away and his play was never the same since.
- Seth Jones (Nashville Predators): Jones, a highly touted defenseman, was selected fourth overall. Despite being seen by many to be the best player in the draft, Jones would fall to the Nashville Predators.
- Elias Lindholm (Carolina Hurricanes): Lindholm, chosen fifth overall, has developed into a reliable and versatile forward.
- Sean Monahan (Calgary Flames): Monahan, picked sixth overall, has been a consistent scorer throughout his career.
- Darnell Nurse (Edmonton Oilers): Nurse, selected seventh overall, has become a top-pairing defenseman for the Oilers.
- Rasmus Ristolainen (Buffalo Sabres): Ristolainen, taken eighth overall, established himself as a workhorse for the Sabres, posting at least 40 points each year while averaging more than 26 minutes a game. After years of trade rumors, the Sabres traded Ristolainen to the Philadelphia Flyers before the start of the 2021 NHL Draft.
- Bo Horvat (Vancouver Canucks): Vancouver traded Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils for the ninth overall pick, and selected Horvat. He has become a solid player in the league.
- Valeri Nichushkin (Dallas Stars): Nichushkin, selected tenth overall, has had a somewhat inconsistent career but has found new life in Colorado.
Other Notable Players
Beyond the top ten, several other players from the 2013 draft have made a significant impact in the NHL:
- Anthony Mantha (20th overall, Detroit Red Wings): Mantha has shown flashes of offensive potential throughout his career.
- Andre Burakovsky (23rd overall, Washington Capitals): Burakovsky has been a solid contributor, showcasing his offensive skills.
- Shea Theodore (26th overall, Anaheim Ducks): Theodore has emerged as a skilled offensive defenseman.
- J.T. Compher (35th overall, Buffalo Sabres): Compher has developed into a reliable two-way forward.
- Jake Guentzel (77th overall, Pittsburgh Penguins): Guentzel, a third-round pick, has become one of the biggest success stories of the draft, establishing himself as a top-line scorer.
Final Thoughts
The 2013 NHL Entry Draft produced a mix of successes and disappointments. While some top picks like MacKinnon and Barkov have become stars, others have not lived up to their potential. It also highlights the importance of looking beyond the first round, as players like Jake Guentzel can emerge as key contributors. As of 2025, there are 53 active NHL players from this draft.
