Grading the Top-10 Picks from the 2013 NHL Draft

Oct 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman

(25) handles the puck against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers, a team that had drafted forwards very high in the draft for years, changed their ways and drafted consensus 2nd overall defenseman Darnell Nurse with the 7th overall selection.

A veteran of just 2 NHL games in his career, Nurse has played the fewest games out of any of the top-10 picks so far.

He did make it onto Canada’s U-20 World Juniors team that won Gold this past week, and he was a big part of that team.

Through his 4 years in the OHL with Saut Ste. Marie, Nurse has improved each year and is now a point per game players with 19 points in 19 games from the blueline.

Darnell Nurse has the ability to be a shutdown defenseman, but now he has started to really break through offensively. He also brings a lot of toughness and grit to his team, which is something that the Edmonton Oilers should be very happy about.

I think Nurse can be a very reliable defenseman at the next level., but he needs to break into the NHL before that happens. His debut season will likely be next season as his junior eligibility runs out after this season.

If he is not yet ready next season, he can also spend time in the AHL. That said, it may be the right move to give a guy with that much talent the chance to blossom in the NHL. For the Edmonton Oilers, that will be a good problem to have.

Next: 8th Overall: Buffalo Sabres