Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Number one overall draft pick Nathan MacKinnon (middle) , number two overall pick Aleksander Barkov (right) and number three overall pick Jonathan Drouin (left) pose for photos during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The first round of the 2013 NHL Draft has come to an end and it was not short of dramatics. The Draft started off with a bang when Nathan MacKinnon was selected number one overall by the Colorado Avalanche. Then the first surprise of the Draft occurred when Aleksander Barkov was selected at number two over all by the Florida Panthers, beating out Seth Jones and Jonathan Drouin, who were the other remaining top three picks going into the Draft. Drouin and Jones did get selected at number three and four by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators.
There is plenty to look forward for every team that picked up these four players. You have Nathan MacKinnon who believes he will be ready to play in and make an impact in the NHL next season. The idea of Drouin and Steven Stamkos connecting should make any Lightning fan drool, and just thinking about the fact that Jones and Shea Webber could be defensive partners should scare everyone.
Outside of the draft’s top picks, there was plenty of news made on the trade front during the first round. The New York Islanders acquired Cal Clutterbuck and the number 70 overall pick in this year’s draft from Minnesota in exchange for Nino Niederreriter.
However, the major waves were made when the New Jersey Devils traded their ninth overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks and got Cory Schneider in return. This trade should answer many questions, like who will take over for Martin Brodeur in New Jersey, and will only create more questions in Vancouver.
It seemed like Canucks goalie, Roberto Luongo was set to be traded away from Vancouver and Schneider would be the Canucks new number one. This trade sure does change things up and Luongo doesn’t seem to be taking it too well.
Roberto Luongo: "I'm shocked! I have to let this sink in and figure out what I'm going to do."
— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) June 30, 2013
The Kings did not have a selection in the first round, but there is a good chance that they will move some of their picks and move up in the second round. When the Kings do finally get to pick make sure to check in here for all of your draft news.