(Update: all the picks can be found here as they are rolled out)
With the second-overall selection in SB Nation’s 2013 NHL Mock Draft, the Florida Panthers take Jonathan Drouin of the Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL).
Consistently regarded as one of the top two forwards available in this draft season (the other being recent “Colorado” selection Nathan MacKinnon), Drouin arrives in South Florida not only boasting a mighty impressive resume’ – including regular season and playoff MVP titles, a Memorial Cup championship, and a first-team All Star appearance, among numerous other accolades – but also a stunning 105 points (41 goals) in 49 contests during the 2012-13 QMJHL campaign. His wide-ranging body of exceptional work tends to speak for itself:
A Quebec native, Drouin’s size – at 5′-11″/186 lbs – may understandably invite criticism given the Panthers’ current lack of hulking figures on the top two lines but his creativity as a setup man and agility with the puck have proven to work in his favor throughout his career. Similar to fellow QMJHL alum Jonathan Huberdeau, Drouin can comfortably play center and left wing, providing for multiple options in just about any given situation up front.
Florida must continue addressing a significant shortage of skilled scorers, hence passing on defenseman Seth Jones despite expectations of his becoming a “franchise” blueliner, and Drouin fills this need in remarkable fashion. A few highlights:
Your call: with MacKinnon off the table, who would you select?
| Drouin, F | 225 |
| Seth Jones, D | 223 |
| Other | 17 |