Continuing my re-look at the 2013 draft.
11. Sam Morin - Philadelphia Flyers - The Flyers went off the board at 11 and drafted their first defenseman in the first round since Luca Sbisa in 2008. Morin was regarded as a first round talent, especially after his impressive playoff showing, but closer to the 20-30 range than the top-10. Regardless the Flyers gambled on his size and relatively young age hoping that like many lanky 6'6+ defenders he would get more comfortable with his size in time. Now the Flyers have been historically poor at drafting and developing defensemen and this was a pretty big leap, so you can understand the skepticism. How is he doing these days? Pretty darn well. Though he has only played 7 games this season he has 6 points in them and has been his usual physical punishing self. He has bulked up a lot in the two years between the draft and now is listed at 229lbs. His skating will always need to continue to improve for success at the NHL level. It's also important to note that Morin has stepped up his game to an entirely new level seemingly whenever the post season starts. Some gambles pay off and Morin is looking good with a shot at the U20's this year (not guaranteed however).
12. Max Domi - Arizona Coyotes - With McDavid injuring his hand, Domi has become the de facto "must watch" player in the OHL. Every line he touches turns to gold, well, every line he and Mitch Marner (2014) touch is gold, the two are attached at the hip these days. McCarron (Habs) looks like a monster on that line and his less scoring self off of it. Dvorak (Coyotes) looks like he should have been a first rounder while on their line and the hope and a prayer second rounder he was when off it. The captain of the Knights is in that "too good for the OHL, not good enough for the NHL, please let me go to the AHL" club that I loathe. Yet there he is and there he goes. Figuring out his own zone and cutting some of the junior level dekes will go a long way to fast tracking his NHL future, but needless to say it's scoring and peskiness you expect from Domi. The 19 year old playmaker better be on Team Canada this time.
13. Josh Morrissey - Winnipeg Jets - After the season he had last year the captain of the Raiders was looking like another defenseman coup by the Jets (see Trouba). The high flying two-way defender landed himself a spot on Team Canada and was their best defenseman in my opinion. He gets it done at both ends and man...can the guy skate...and hit...now I'm just gushing. Don't let the -5 fool you,it doesn't indicate the level of his play. This season isn't as exciting for Morrissey, while still basically at a PPG, he likely won't reach the absurd 73 in 59 games he had the year before. Regression? Not too much, mostly the loss of Draisaitl on special teams.
14. Alexander Wennberg - Columbus Blue Jackets - After finishing as the runner-up for the Elitserien Rookie of the Year by leading in goal scoring, Wennberg made the Jackets out of camp and while terrible in the +/- category has seen some decent playing time thanks to the Jackets being blown to bits with injuries. The 20 year old in my opinion needs some AHL seasoning, though I realize that is unlikely given the current state of affairs. Though a two-way centre at heart, Wennberg might be destined for the wing, even in the Elitserien and Allsvenskan he was abnormally weak on the dot for a natural centre. Regardless of that he's pretty sound defensively and even sees PK time despite his age. Really liked the pick at the time and still do.
15. Ryan Pulock - New York Islanders - Pulock never made the Canadian Junior squad and I think he wants to make them eat that mistake. Pulock is an elite shooting defenseman and his shot has only improved since his draft day. An absolute Shea Weber-esque shot. The 20 year old has 8 goals to lead the Sound Tigers in the AHL and is by all accounts playing excellent two-way hockey. His average speed was a cause of worry and one of the reasons he was around at 15, but smarts and positioning (or a good partner) help to deter that weakness. First in power play goals (7), second in goals scored and sixth in points (12) for defensemen in the AHL at 20...and he's 6'1 212lb who likes to hit and can play a little defense? I'd be more excited over Pulock than Reinhart if I was an Isles fan.
16. Nikita Zadorov - Buffalo Sabres - The big nasty made his way onto the Sabres despite a disappointing camp, primarily because like his Knights teammate Domi, he's too good or the OHL and should be in the AHL. However unlike Domi the KHL isn't calling and it appears his agent (we don't know what Zad would actually have done) was using his contract status with CSKA Moskva as a threat. Regardless it has been a mixed bag season for the 19 year old tower of power, like Ristolainen he has been playing well recently after a slow start. He's a very raw player who needs more time to develop and sharpen some of those instincts he has. Considering his ice-time, one would hope he can go to the WJC's, he was a monster last season paired with fellow big and tall man Tryamkin (Canucks).
17. Curtis Lazar - Ottawa Senators - Lazar is pure determination and he's always noticeable. Just gives it all he can. The Sens are playing him in a more limited role, but he still finds ways to stand out. While he has yet to score his first NHL goal, he's playing well and has six assists. Which I find kind of funny for the man notorious in junior for shooting first and contemplating a pass never. Lazar sadly won't be back for Canada unless Ottawa suddenly tanks it, which I highly doubt, as long as they are in the playoff hunt Lazar is extremely useful in the bottom-6. It's a shame because he was probably the best forward for Canada excluding Mantha, or at least the only one who gave a damn most of the time.
18. Mirco Müller - San Jose Sharks - Müller became the highest selected Swiss defender in the countries history and the fifth highest selected Swiss player. Particularly recently the Swiss are beginning to develop some real talent for such a small country. The 19 year old defender known for his calming stability has been fine in the NHL, he hasn't distinguished himself in any particular way, but hasn't messed up either. Pretty much what you would expect from a 19 year old playing sparse minutes. He's another one to watch in the U20's watch, since the Sharks are desperate to make the playoffs and currently in the dogfight that is known only as "The Pacific Division," one can't help but wonder if they hold onto him. If they do, that's a major blow to Switzerland, he's their best defenseman by far.
19. Kerby Rychel - Columbus Blue Jackets - Rychel had a rather eventful end to his OHL career. He was traded to Guelph and took off dominating to end the season, playoffs and Mem Cup (named to the All-Star Team). This season in the AHL he is playing pretty well by all reports. He has 6 goals and 13 points in 20 games for the Falcons. That's good for fifth in rookie scoring. Rychel is the typical power forward, solidly built and willing to cycle and get his hands dirty. A lot of versatility to his game. Should be a good 2nd/3rd line guy down the road.
20. Anthony Mantha - Detroit Red Wings - 4 games 2 goals to start his pro career, the legendary QMJHL scorer has been solid as a rookie in Grand Rapids. Mantha rose to prominence on the back of being the only 50 goal scorer in the draft and one of only two 50 goal men in the entire CHL. Then he added to that by tearing the Q a new you know what with 57 goals in 57 games willing his team into the Mem Cup with 24 goals in 24 playoff games and then making the Foreurs a nuisance when they should have been pushovers in the Mem Cup. Also he was Canada's best player in the U20's. So...ya, he did a lot last season. The CHL Player of the Year has size (6'5) and one of the best releases out there he simply scores goals...all the time in any situation. I'm interested on seeing how his season develops with the Griffins though that isn't a bad start by any means.
Thanks for reading.