Grading the Top-10 Picks from the 2013 NHL Draft

Dec 31, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing

(27) carries the puck up ice during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning

Coming off of a disastrous season, the Tampa Bay Lightning looked to turn things around with a top-3 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. With the pick, the Bolts picked the highly talented and exciting Jonathan Drouin, a teammate of 1st overall pick Nathan MacKinnon in Halifax of the QMJHL.

Unlike MacKinnon, Drouin returned for another year in Halifax for the 2013-2014 season, where he had another amazing year. He tallied a whopping 108 points in 46 games with the Mooseheads that year.

The 2014-2015 would make Drouin’s highly anticipated NHL debut, and while he hasn’t been a standout star like he was in the Quebec league, he has been good.

32 games in, Drouin has 16 points and is a -1. He has been scratched for several games, as well. In 2 AHL games this season, he has 3 points.

Drouin, in my opinion, was the 2nd best forward in the draft, and he has a great chance to success with the Lightning. With Stamkos, Johnson, Pallat, Callahan, and other young stars in the Lighting system, Drouin has a very bright future in Tampa.

Next: 4th Overall: Nashville Predators