2013 NHL Draft Prospects Big Board: Seth Jones is No. 1 prospect

Seth Jones, the son of former NBA player Popeye Jones, is Chris Peters' No. 1 prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft. (Getty)

The 2013 NHL Entry Draft class comes into the season with a fair amount of hype and looks awfully deep at this early stage of the season. The class is highlighted by Nathan MacKinnon, a dynamic forward from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, and Seth Jones, a big, rangy defenseman from Plano, Texas. While there is a gap between MacKinnon and Jones and the rest of the field, there is a lot of exciting talent among first-year draft eligibles.

Each player's draft stock will fluctuate throughout the season, but Eye on Hockey wants to start you off on the right foot with its Top 50 Players to Watch list. This list shouldn't be taken as a draft projection but a preseason ranking, based on players' performances over the previous year and some summer tournaments. There can and will be a lot of movement before the Entry Draft in Newark, N.J., next June, but this hopefully gives you a good first look at what is sure to be a thrilling class.

We'll keep you covered all season long here at Eye on Hockey with monthly mock drafts and news and notes from around the NHL Draft prospect world.

This list was comprised based on my own viewings in person and on video as well as consultations with scouts from NHL, junior and college hockey teams to fill in blanks and add their own thoughts.

2013 NHL Big Board by Chris Peters
1. Seth Jones - D - Portland Winterhawks (WHL) - 6-3 1/2, 204
	While most will list MacKinnon as No. 1, Jones is the type of defenseman that doesn't come around every draft. A difference maker in all zones, the son of former NBA player Popeye Jones is one of the smartest young prospects in the game. With or without the puck, he makes the right decision. There's no real weakness in his game and, with the right team, he could hop into an NHL lineup immediately.
2. Nathan MacKinnon - F - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) - 6-0, 182
	An explosive talent who has drawn comparisons - perhaps unfairly - to fellow Cole Harbour-native Sidney Crosby since his youth is easily the best forward in this draft. It's really 1A and 1B when it comes to Jones and MacKinnon. The NHL is typically a best-player-available draft; whoever ends up with the No. 1 pick might have to make a need-based selection. They probably can't go wrong with either.
3. Sean Monahan - C - Ottawa 67s (OHL) - 6-2, 186
	When I spoke with one Western Conference scout, the word "stud" kept getting dropped. A tremendous skater and all-around forward, Monahan can do a little bit of everything and do it well. He plays a responsible game in all zones and has enough offensive pop to project as a top-six centerman.
4. Aleksander Barkov - C - Tappara (SML) - 6-2, 205
	Barkov has been on a lot of radars for some time. An advanced player for his age, Barkov combines immense puck skills with a sturdy frame to put up points in bunches. He played in 32 games in Finland's SM-liiga as a 16-year-old and posted 16 points. The one thing holding Barkov back is his skating, which hasn't really improved much. That said, it's awfully hard to find a player with his mix of size and elite skill.
5. Hunter Shinkaruk - C - Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) - 5-10, 166
	If size gives scouts pause, it won't be much. The shifty Shinkaruk had 49 goals and 91 points in his second WHL season last year and should exceed that total in his draft-eligible campaign. He has good speed, quick hands and a goal-scorer's touch. He can get you out of your seat every game it seems.
6. Elias Lindholm - C - Brynas (SEL) - 6-0, 189
	After dominating for the Brynas U20 team, Lindholm will be playing with the big boys in the SEL this year. Assuming his good, all-around game translates, he could be in the top-three discussion as well. Lindholm has the smarts and makes those around him better with good vision and skill. Certainly a pass-first centerman, pair Lindholm with a good scorer and watch the numbers pile up.
7. Rasmus Ristolainen - D - TPS (SML) - 6-3, 203
	A mature defenseman with good hands and footwork, Ristolainen played 40 games in Finland's top pro league with TPS. He's a smart defender who plays to his big frame. His combination of defensive smarts and puck-moving potential make him an easy choice to be the second-ranked defenseman on this list.
8. Jonathan Drouin - LW - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
	After joining Halifax midseason last year, Drouin's immense offensive talent became evident pretty quickly. He confirmed it in the playoffs with 26 points in 17 games. Drouin plays on a line with MacKinnon, which really isn't fair for opponents. He's not afraid to defer to teammates in offensive situations. But if he has the shot, he'll take a deadly accurate one. One scout called him "a natural-born goal scorer."
9. Andre Burakovsky - LW - Malmo (Allevenskan) - 6-1, 178
	After a point-per-game season with Malmo's U20 team, Burakovsky should stick with the pro team in Sweden's second division this year. A good-sized winger, Burakovsky can get the job done at both ends of the ice. He is a solid distributer and better skater. The Swede does not shy away from contact and has good, not great, finishing ability. There are a lot of scouts extremely high on Burakovsky, and they should continue to be.
10. Valeri Nichushkin - C - Chelyabinsk (MHL) - 6-4, 196
	The size jumps out at you right away, but it's the skill level that is attached to that size that makes Nichushkin such an attractive prospect. He skates well enough for a big man and uses his body to get to the good goal-scoring areas. Most big guys can't finish like he can, and there's reason to believe he's got a lot more to give as a pro. There was widespread speculation he was coming to play junior in Canada but elected to stay home. We'll see how that impacts his draft stock. Expect it to.
11. Ryan Pulock - D - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) - 6-0.5, 211
	After a 60-point campaign for Brandon last year in the WHL, Pulock has opened some eyes. He has nice size and terrific offensive tools including an accurate, heavy shot from the point. He put up 19 goals last season, and expectations will be high this season. How he deals with that could play a big role in where he ends up.
12. Arturri Lehkonen - 5-10, 163 - LW - KalPa (SML) - 5-10, 163
	A couple inches taller, and Lehkonen would probably be a top-10 lock. Even this ranking might be a bit optimistic. That said, Lehkonen is a dynamic goal scorer and is difficult to contain offensively. While there isn't much to like defensively, there aren't many better goal scorers in this draft than Lehkonen, who is already scoring at an alarming rate in Finland's top league this young season.
13. Curtis Lazar - C - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) - 6-0, 193
	A blazing skater, Lazar does a lot well. He plays the game hard, and the skating is the standout tool. But one scout expressed concern about his offensive game translating at the next level. He'll have to show he can be a little more productive, but his mix of speed and tenacity are going to get him a lot of attention.
14. Max Domi - C - London Knights (OHL) - 5-9, 193
	The son of notorious pugilist Tie Domi, Max has a lot more to offer offensively than dear ol' dad. After breaking out for 21 goals as a rookie last year, expect Domi to put on a show in the O this season. One Western Conference scout voiced concern about consistency but marveled at Domi's vision and general playmaking ability.
15. Kerby Rychel - LW - Windsor Spitfires (OHL) - 6-1, 200
	Another player with NHL bloodlines, the son of Warren Rychel plays the game at 100 miles an hour, taking the body at any chance he gets and using his strength to create offense. That mix of toughness and touch is hard to find, and Rychel has a lot of both.
16. Adam Erne - LW - Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) - 6-1, 195
	The high-scoring American forward has a pro-ready shot with a quick release and sharp accuracy. He can score from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. He also has the frame to bring the physicality. With good puck skills and fair speed, Erne could be a legitimate goal scorer at the next level if he reaches his potential.
17. Nikita Zadorov - D - London Knights (OHL) - 6-5, 230
	The first thing that jumps out at you is his size, obviously. You can't make picks based solely on that, but clearly he's going to get the benefit of the doubt in other areas of his game. According to other reports, Zadorov is tremendous physically and has shown some flashes of being able to handle the puck well. One scout told me that he has a lot of work to do, but the pieces are there for him to be an easy first-round selection.
18. Jacob de la Rose - LW - Leksand (Allevenskan) - 6-2, 189
	He has power-forward size and can play a power-forward game with just enough touch to be able to produce at a fairly high clip. The points haven't translated just yet, but de la Rose will be tested a lot this year in the pros. That will only help his development. There's a lot of upside in this big forward.
19. J.T. Compher - C - U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL) - 6-0, 165
	Compher plays awfully tough and has a terrific on-ice work-ethic. Additionally, he's a good skater and has a nice shot, which allows him to score at a fairly high clip. He's terrific on draws, on the walls and in the corners. His high battle level and steady north-south game are going to help him draw a lot of eyeballs.
20. Anthony Duclair - LW - Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) - 5-11, 180
	A shifty forward with good speed, Duclair tends to put himself in a good position to score. He had 31 goals last season as a rookie and is already off to a hot start this year. Probably doesn't hurt that he sees time with Sabres pick Mikhail Grigorenko, but high-end finishing ability can be hard to find. He has it.
21. Robert Hagg - D - Modo (U20) - 6-2, 193
	This ranking might be a bit too low for the two-way defender, but a lot of that is based on limited notes on him. He has been tabbed as a lock for the first round by some scouts, and there's little reason to doubt them. Hagg had his breakout event last winter at the World U17 Hockey Challenge, where he showed an ability to score from the blue line and move the puck well. He's sticking at the U20 level this year, where he'll be MODO's captain.
22. Hudson Fasching - C - U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL) - 6-3, 190
	A powerful forward with some offensive touch, Fasching has added a lot of grit to his game over the last year and that could help him put up more points. He plays the body, battles well along the boards but can also produce. Fasching shone brightest during international competitions playing against other elite players. One scout expressed concern over his skating but likes the potential in the big forward.
23. Pavel Buchnevich - LW - Cherepovets (MHL) - 6-1, 161
	After posting 44 points in 45 games as a 16-year-old in Russia's U20 MHL, Buchnevich has been a hot name of late. He wasn't much of a factor for Russia's World U17 Challenge championship team last year but showed improvement at the Ivan Hlinka U18 tournament in August. He could be a quick riser as this year progresses and the book on him gets a few more pages.
24. Josh Morrisey - D - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) - 5-11, 182
	Though small, Morrissey is a terrific skater with really strong puck-moving abilities and some shiftiness with the puck on his stick. At his size, he has to be productive to garner first-round consideration. His skill set should allow him to be in his second WHL season.
25. Darnell Nurse - D - Soo Greyhounds (OHL) - 6-3.5, 189
	Nurse could be a great pro, as he plays with a chip on his shoulder and does a lot right in his own zone. That nastiness makes him tough to play against. The offensive tools might not translate at the next level, but his physical game certainly will. He's also a good enough skater to hang with the pros.
26. Ian McCoshen - D - Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) - 6-2.5, 207
	With pro size at age 17, McCoshen has been playing at a high level for the last three years in the USHL. His size allows him to play a physical game, but he has some offensive touch. He has a good shot and a veteran's mindset. There isn't a lot left to learn about McCoshen, which makes him seem like a safe prospect but might allude to a lack of upside. Can't argue with his size or the way he plays right now, though.
27. Steven Santini - D - U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL) - 6-1.5, 207
	Upside is a big reason for Santini's inclusion at 27. There are signs that he could be more offensive, but his defensive talent is prevalent. His mobility has improved over the last season, and he has added some more grit and toughness to his game - which scouts will love.
28. Bogdan Yakimov - C - Penza (MHL) - 6-5, 202
	While skating could prove to be an issue, Yakimov has some puck skills that immediately jump out upon first look. With hands as quick as you'll see for a man of this size, Yakimov also has some scoring touch with a wicked release. He put up 15 goals in the MHL last year and, with another year of development, could be poised for a breakout. This is a bit of an optimistic ranking. But if he keeps coming along developmentally, he belongs in the first-round discussion.
29. Ryan Hartman - RW - Plymouth (OHL) - 5-11, 187
	Don't let the size fool you; Hartman knows how to impose his will in games in one way or another. Though his numbers were deceptively low last year, if he wasn't scoring he was doing other things well. He can play at both ends of the ice, likes to initiate contact and has the puck skills of a playmaker. Hartman knows how to score, too. He could put up a bunch of points in his first OHL season.
30. Jusso Ikonen - LW - Blues (SML) - 5-7, 161
	His size might keep him out of the first-round discussion, but it shouldn't. The diminutive Ikonen is an extremely productive player with great speed (required if you're a little guy) and dazzling puck skills. Think about this: At 16 years old at his size, he was able to put up better than a point per game at the U20 level and was able to register nine points in 20 games against pros in Finland's top league. He did well enough for Espoo to use him in the SM-liiga playoffs, where he posted four goals and two assists.
31. Alexander Wennberg - C - Djugardens - 6-1, 174
	Wennberg showcased himself rather emphatically at the World U18 Championship last season, where he led Sweden with nine points en route to the silver medal. He is an effective, two-way center who is all about getting the puck to his linemates. Good vision, crisp passing and the ability to create on the fly makes him an awfully attractive prospect.
32. Will Butcher - D - U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL) - 5-9.5, 191
	A little taller, and we'd be talking about Butcher as a first-round lock. The slick-skating defenseman has a terrific shot from the point and high-end distribution skills. He can be a high-risk player at times but has great recovery speed and hits more than he misses anyway. Despite the size, he's more than serviceable defensively.
33. Zach Fucale - G - Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) - 6-1, 181
	If there is going to be a first-round goaltender this year, it will likely be Fucale. After backstopping Canada to a fifth straight title at the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka U18 Tournament in August, the stage was set for Fucale to jump into the spotlight. In a weak crop of goalies, Fucale appears to be heads above the rest.
34. Frederik Gauthier - C - Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) - 6-5, 210
	With such a big frame, Gauthier very easily could move into first-round contention as the season progresses. He spent last year in Quebec AAA, so there's a lot more to be learned about this physical specimen. One scout marveled at his puck protection and competitiveness and expects him to be dominant in the Q.
35. Bo Horvat - C - London Knights (OHL) - 6-0, 200
	A high-end defensive forward, scouts have marveled at his work ethic and attention to detail. A lack of confidence in his offensive capabilities leaves him vulnerable to fall outside the first round, but there are plenty of teams that will love his propensity for blocking shots and doing a lot of the little things right.
36. Justin Bailey - C - Kitchener Rangers (OHL) - 6-3, 194
	After making the jump from U.S. AAA to the OHL this season, there should be a bit of a learning curve for Bailey, but the tools are there for him to be a strong prospect. One scout remarked on his rawness and that there is work to be done yet. But if he figures it out quickly, the size and physicality are awfully attractive.
37. Shea Theodore - D - Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) - 6'2, 182
	I fully expect Theodore to be a riser based on the limited knowledge of him that I have. However, it is because of that limited knowledge that he is probably lower than most would put him. In 39 games last season in the WHL, he posted 35 points. Good size, good productivity and a full WHL season ahead is a good recipe for success for this touted defenseman.
38. Michael Downing - D - Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) - 6-3, 190
	With good size and solid skating, Downing still has some rawness to his game. He has made incredible strides in one season, which alludes to some sound potential and ability to take his game to another level.
39. Jason Dickinson - C - Guelph Storm (OHL) - 6-1, 179
	The number of high-end centers in the OHL is awfully intriguing, and Dickinson is certainly among them. His play at both ends and some flashes of offensive prowess will keep him in the first-round discussion. A little more productivity could go a long way for his stock, though.
40. Sergei Tolchinsky - RW -Soo Greyhounds (OHL) - 5-7, 150
	His size has scared some scouts, including NHL Central Scouting, which didn't list him on its watch list. Don't be fooled. Tolchinsky is a special player with elite skating and elite puck skills. He scored 19 goals in the Russian U20 league last year at age 16. That's not easy to do. Additionally, Tolchinsky was dominant against his own age group in international competition despite his diminutive stature. A big year in the OHL could go a long way to garnering more attention.
41. Ryan Kujawinski - C - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) - 6-2, 203
	With a great frame, Kujawinski is a high-end, two-way player and has a tremendous work ethic on the ice. A midseason trade from Sarnia to Kingston last year seemed to breathe new life into the big forward, according to one scout. The stats agree, as he posted 30 points in 30 games with the Fronts after just six in his first 29 with Sarnia.
42. William Carrier - C - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) - 6-1, 198
	Another big body with good strength, Carrier has some toughness and decent-enough skills. He's a tough player to project, as it appears he hasn't completely unlocked his game yet. But there are certainly glimmers of high-end potential.
43. Oliver Bjorkstrand - RW - Portland Winterhawks (WHL) - 5-10.5, 167
	This one might be a little bit off the grid, but the Danish sensation could garner a lot of looks this season. Despite playing on a weak Team Denmark at the U18 World Championship, Bjorkstrand was able to do a lot on his own, registering seven points in six games. He's smart, he's shifty and he should be a lot of fun to watch on a good team like Portland. After playing against men in pro much of last season in Denmark, he should put up points in bunches in the WHL.
44. Marko Dano - C - Slovan Bratislava (KHL) - 5-11, 183
	There have been fewer and fewer high-end prospects coming out of Slovakia of late, but Dano could buck the new trend. A dynamic offensive threat, he makes those around him better and has shown the ability to score consistently. He buried a goal in his KHL debut and should be challenged in a top-tier pro league.
45. Linus Arnesson - D - Djugarden (Allevenskan) - 6-1, 179
	A smooth-skating two-way defenseman, Arnesson is a tremendous puck mover. He's good on the rush and has a knack for finding seams. There's poise in his game, which helps his decision-making and ability to defend.
46. Keaton Thompson - D - U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL) - 6-0, 187
	A steady two-way defender, Thompson is smart in his own end and makes good decisions with the puck on his stick. He's a steady skater and has great footwork to stay in front of forwards. He's one of my dark-horse picks to sneak up, maybe even into the first round, but there's work to be done to get there.
47. Tyler Hill - LW - Hotchkiss School (CT-HS) - 6-6, 220
	The size among forwards in this draft is truly remarkable, and Hill might be the biggest of them all. As such, he's the lone U.S. prep player on this list. One college hockey coach who often scouts the prep ranks said Hill has good hands for a guy his size and physically dominates games. But another scout called his skating into question. Projections for him are all over the map, but you can't argue with that size.
48. Luke Johnson - C - Lincoln Stars (USHL) - 5-11, 167
	After making a seamless transition from North Dakota high school hockey to the USHL last year, Johnson has earned some preseason hype surrounding his offensive talent. He put up 55 points as a rookie last year, tough to do in the defensive-minded USHL. He'll have to do even better this year to live up to now lofty expectations, but he certainly has the talent to do so.
49. Tyler Motte - C - U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL) - 5-9, 190
	When at his best, he's an offensively dynamic talent. Good speed, solid strength despite a smallish frame, and good finish around the net make him an intriguing prospect. Motte has had a problem with consistency, which he has a whole season to prove isn't a problem anymore.
50. Anton Slepyshev - LW - Novokuznetsk (KHL) - 6-2, 192
	Passed over entirely in the last draft due to concerns that he would never leave Russia, Slepyshev remains eligible in 2013 and is one of the best players available. He spent more than half of last season in the KHL at 17. While he struggled to put up a lot of points, he had clearly outgrown U20 hockey. He has been a standout in international competition. If there's an inkling this time that he'll come to North America in a few years, he's going to get picked fairly early. However, he suffered a broken collar bone in late September that might affect his draft stock.

Disagree with Chris' ratings? Send him your thoughts. Follow @chrismpeters and check out his blog, The United States of Hockey. Don't forget to follow @EyeonHockey and like us on Facebook for more hockey news rumors and analysis.