NHL Lottery 2013: Highlighting Draft's Best Prospects

The Colorado Avalanche have eased the sting of a terrible year by landing the first pick in the 2013 NHL draft. 

This will likely lead them to taking the highly touted Seth Jones, but there are certainly a few other players with the kind of transcendent talent it takes to go No. 1 overall. 

Take a look at the order of the June 30 draft, and then we can get into breaking down the best prospects in this class.  

Pick	Team	2012 Record
1	Colorado Avalanche	16-25-6
2	Florida Panthers	15-27-6
3	Tampa Bay Lightning	18-26-4
4	Nashville Predators	16-23-9
5	Carolina Hurricanes	19-25-4
6	Calgary Flames	19-25-4
7	Edmonton Oilers	19-22-7
8	Buffalo Sabres	21-21-6
9	New Jersey Devils	19-19-10
10	Dallas Stars	22-22-4
11	Philadelphia Flyers	23-22-3
12	Phoenix Coyotes	21-18-9
13	Winnipeg Jets	24-21-3
14	Columbus Blue Jackets	24-17-7
15	New York Islanders	24-17-7
16	Buffalo Sabres (from Minnesota Wild)	21-21-6
17	Detroit Red Wings	24-16-8
18	Ottawa Senators	25-17-6
19	Columbus Blue Jackets (from NY Rangers)	24-17-7
20	San Jose Sharks	25-16-7
21	Toronto Maple Leafs	26-17-5
22	Washington Capitals	27-18-3
23	Columbus Blue Jackets (from L.A. Kings)	24-17-7
24	Vancouver Canucks	26-15-7
25	Calgary Flames (from St. Louis Blues)	19-25-4
26	Boston Bruins	28-14-6
27	Montreal Canadiens	29-14-5
28	Anaheim Ducks	30-12-6
29	Calgary Flames (from Pittsburgh Penguins)	19-25-4
30	Chicago Blackhawks	36-7-5

Seth Jones, Defenseman, USA

If you're an 18-year-old hockey player, and Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports is interested in you, chances are you're about to go No. 1 in the upcoming NHL draft. 

The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones, Seth is currently with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks flashing an athleticism that is leaving scouts drooling.

At 6'4" and 206 pounds, has great power and a deadly slap shot while also moving well on the ice. He is also a skilled passer.

He was named Team USA's best player at the 2012 IIHF World Under 18 Championships as there wasn't another player on the ice who could match his blend of speed and power. 

Jones' ceiling is through the roof, and he is well worth the No. 1 selection. 

Nathan MacKinnon, Center, Canada

In case the Avalanche decide they want to go offense, center Nathan MacKinnon is the likely choice.

He is a skilled skater and a master with the puck. This gives him the potential to be one of the league's best playmakers. His track record reflects that. 

All this youngster does is produce. In the regular and postseasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, the 17-year-old notched 106 points in 75 games.

He also put up some impressive numbers at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament with the Canadian Under 18 team. In just five games, he notched 11 points.

What also impresses about MacKinnon is his physical play. While he excels in finesse play, he is a willing and adept physical presence. 

Jonathan Drouin, Left Wing, Canada

The Halifax Mooseheads must be fun to watch.

Not only do they have MacKinnon, but also elite left wing prospect Jonathan Drouin, and his playmaking skills take a backseat to no one.

Drouin can score with the best of him, and he is a pinpoint facilitator. This past season with the Mooseheads, he's gone for an amazing 105 points in 49 games. 

At just under 6'0" and 175 pounds, Drouin doesn't have the size of MacKinnon, but he's got the speed. There are few players who will be able to match his speed.

As long as he can handle the physicality, Drouin will be one of the league's most exciting players.