Ranking the 10 Fastest Skaters in 2013 NHL Draft

There is nothing more electrifying in hockey than the end-to-end rush.

While we don’t see these as often now as we have in past eras, most games have at least one or two plays that feature a player with blazing speed flying across the blue line and striking fear into opposing defensemen.

It is difficult to assess speed as players skate forward, backward and laterally­—and players rarely do all three of these equally well. Also, acceleration and speed with the puck are more important than open-ice speed.

The following 10 players, in ascending order, are the fastest skaters that are likely to be picked in the first three rounds of the 2013 NHL draft.

10. Andre Burakovsky

Andre Burakovsky was born in Austria but plays internationally for Sweden.

He is a great skater with not just above average acceleration, but his overall speed is a separator against opponents.

Burakovsky has the kind of skill that could make him a top-line NHL winger if he can bring some more consistency to his game.

Using his speed to create chances not only for himself but teammates should be on display in the NHL if he continues to improve in the next few seasons.

9. Connor Hurley

Connor Hurley has the distinction of being the youngest player eligible for the 2013 draft.

Hailing from hockey-mad Minnesota, Hurley has not yet played against the top competition that the other players have.

Hurley is a tremendous skater with exceptional top-end speed combined with agility.

He is another player that may be even quicker with the puck than without it, which will serve him well as he continues to develop his offensive game against top competition.

8. Nicolas Petan

Nicolas Petan may not have the raw top speed that many of these players have, but his speed with the puck is second only to Nathan MacKinnon.

Petan is a very agile skater and his ability to make quick turns in traffic is reminiscent of similarly sized Patrick Kane.

The native of Delta, B.C. is undersized at 5’9”, but do not be surprised if he becomes a great second-line player in the NHL if given the opportunity.

7. Valeri Nichushkin

Valeri Nichushkin is one of the fastest skaters among the 2013 NHL prospects. While his 6’4” frame does not lend itself to the quickest first step, it does not take him long to get to his highest gear.

Nichushkin is going to be a handful to contain when he gets the puck in full flight when one considers his reach and his top-end speed.

He is oozing raw talent and will likely get faster when he receives additional stride training at the NHL level.

6. Frederick Gauthier

At 6’4” Frederick Gauthier is another player that does not appear as fast as smaller players.

He is well over 200 pounds and plays a very mature two-way game. He has played just one year in the QMJHL, so it is unlikely that he will be bringing his game to the NHL next season.

Gauthier is a very powerful skater and has excellent speed. His combination of size and speed will be challenging to stop at the pro level.

5. Morgan Klimchuk

Calgary native Morgan Klimchuk has very good top-end speed, but it is his acceleration and first step that might be the best in this draft class.

Klimchuk has already starred for Canada on the world stage and was excellent in the U18 World Championships in a leading role playing alongside superstar-in-waiting Connor McDavid.

Klimchuk may not be taken until the second round, but his speed is certainly in the upper tier of the draft.

4. Nikita Zadorov

Nikita Zadorov is a tremendous talent. He is an intriguing combination of strength, toughness and speed.

Because of his size, Zadorov does not look like he’s moving as quickly as many of his opponents.

However, Zadorov almost never gets beat wide and has excellent agility as well as speed.

Zadorov has a very promising NHL future and may even make the jump to the NHL for the 2013-14 season.

3. Curtis Lazar

The WHL’s Curtis Lazar is a goal scorer with soft hands and exceptional speed.

He is an exemplary skater who is not only fast in full flight but is also very quick. In addition, he has the ability to change gears seamlessly and that deceptiveness is very difficult to defend.

Lazar’s agility is also elite, and he should be a great NHL player as a top-six forward. 

2. Anthony Duclair

Anthony Duclair has not made the offensive progress that many scouts like to see, but his skating has improved over his two major junior seasons.

Duclair has starred with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts for the past two seasons and is likely to spend at least one more year playing junior hockey.

Duclair’s top-end speed is exceptional, and if he can harness that speed and add some more skill with the puck, he may be a steal in the upcoming draft. 

1. Nathan MacKinnon

Nathan MacKinnon is an exceptionally quick skater.

Amazingly, MacKinnon appears to be even faster with the puck, which will make him very difficult to contain at the NHL level.

MacKinnon is likely to get stronger and may even get faster in the next two or three seasons. Whether he goes first or second overall, he will be a player that a franchise will be able to build around.

MacKinnon has many talents, but his most important attribute, is his blinding speed.

NHL fans will be coming out of their seats for years to come when MacKinnon gets a hold of the puck and zeroes in on the opposing net.