On the last Friday of every month, Patrick King & Sam Cosentino release their Top 10 CHL Prospects leading up to the 2013 NHL Draft.
For more on the rankings, tune into Sportsnet for Friday Night Hockey. Check out the full TV schedule here.
Sam Cosentino’s picks
1. Seth Jones
Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Position: Defence | Shoots: Right
Birthdate: Oct. 3, 1994
Height/weight: 6’3.5″ / 208 lbs
Cosentino says: Just about everyone has relented that he is the undisputed No. 1 pick.
2. Jonathan Drouin
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Position: Left Wing | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Mar. 27, 1995
Height/weight: 5’10.75″ / 185 lbs
Cosentino says: No questions about skill set. Will be tested mentally with deep run into spring expected.
3. Nathan MacKinnon
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Position: Centre | Shoots: Right
Birthdate: Sept. 1, 1995
Height/weight: 6’0″ / 182 lbs
Cosentino says: Back and healthy. Will likely go third overall, reminding me of Duchene and Huberdeau as great picks in that spot.
4. Hunter Shinkaruk
Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Position: Left Wing | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Oct. 13, 1994
Height/weight: 5’10” / 166 lbs
Cosentino says: Leader in first-round sweep of Saskatoon. Shoots it a ton. Grew up around the rink and is usually the last one off it.
5. Anthony Mantha
Team: Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
Position: Right Wing | Shoots: L
Birthdate: Sept. 16, 1994
Height/weight: 6’4″ / 190 lbs
Cosentino says: Some doubts still exist about consistency. No doubting his size and passion for the game. Big-league shot.
6. Nicolas Petan
Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Position: Centre | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Mar. 22, 1995
Height/weight: 5’8.5″ / 163 lbs
Cosentino says: It’s rare that a 17-year old shares a piece of WHL scoring title.Proving every night that size isn’t everything.
7. Adam Erne
Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Position: Left Wing | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Apr. 20, 1995
Height/weight: 6’1″ / 195 lbs
Cosentino says: Some would like to see him in better shape, but has traveled across North America for skill development.
8. Shea Theordore
Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Position: Defence | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Aug. 3, 1995
Height/weight: 6’1.75″ / 182 lbs
Cosentino says: U-18s thought they may have him for start of camp on Apr 5. Not so fast! Hockey Canada may have to wait longer.
9. Nic Sorenson
Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Position: Right Wing | Shoots: Right
Birthdate: Oct. 23, 1994
Height/weight: 6’1″ / 179 lbs
Cosentino says: Injuries are behind him. True talent coming to the fore. Playoff performance extremely important for draft status.
10. Curtis Lazar
Team: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Position: Centre | Shoots: Right
Birthdate: Feb. 2, 1995
Height/weight: 5’11.75″ / 193 lbs
Cosentino says: Numbers don’t tell the story. Watch him in the playoffs to get a better appreciation of his two-way game.
Patrick King’s picks
1. Seth Jones
Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Position: Defence | Shoots: Right
Birthdate: Oct. 3, 1994
Height/weight: 6’3.5″ / 208 lbs
King says: He sometimes leaves you wanting more, but his stat line never wavers. Still the best talent in this draft class.
2. Jonathan Drouin
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Position: Left Wing | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Mar. 27, 1995
Height/weight: 5’10.75″ / 185 lbs
King says: Would have won the scoring race if not for time missed. Elite offensive vision and talent. Will bring excitement to whichever team drafts him.
3. Nathan MacKinnon
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Position: Centre | Shoots: Right
Birthdate: Sept. 1, 1995
Height/weight: 6’0″ / 182 lbs
King says: He returned from injury his dominant self, but is no longer the best draft-eligible on his team.
4. Darnell Nurse
Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Position: Defence | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Feb. 4, 1995
Height/weight: 6’3.5″ / 189 lbs
King says: He may lack flash, but plays a solid, two-way game. With his size, character and skill, it’s easy to project him in the NHL for 15-plus years.
5. Hunter Shinkaruk
Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Position: Left Wing | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Oct. 13, 1994
Height/weight: 5’10” / 166 lbs
King says: A big-time contributor in Medicine Hat’s first-round sweep of the Blades. Shinkaruk is a playmaker with offensive vision and creativity.
6. Nikita Zadorov
Team: London Knights (OHL)
Position: Defence | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Apr. 16, 1995
Height/weight: 6’5.25″ / 230 lbs
King says: He already had the size and penchant for physical play. Now a developing offensive game makes him that much more appealing.
7. Valentin Zykov
Team: Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
Position: Right Wing | Shoots: Right
Birthdate: May 15, 1995
Height/weight: 6’0″ / 210 lbs
King says: He just keeps getting better. Zykov’s hands and vision will make him a dependable scorer at the next level.
8. Adam Erne
Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Position: Left Wing | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Apr. 20, 1995
Height/weight: 6’1″ / 195 lbs
King says: He plays with an edge to his game and can develop into a physical, offensive force.
9. Ryan Hartman
Team: Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
Position: Left Wing | Shoots: Right
Birthdate: Sept. 20, 1994
Height/weight: 5’11” / 187 lbs
King says: A pesky agitator that can score. He can change the complexion of a game with a hit and a goal, then remind you of it later.
10. Max Domi
Team: London Knights (OHL)
Position: Centre | Shoots: Left
Birthdate: Mar. 2, 1995
Height/weight: 5’9.25″ / 193 lbs
King says: There’s little doubt he will be a scorer in the NHL. Size may be less of an issue considering his vision to find the open seam.