Grading The Columbus Blue Jackets Offseason
By Mark Huss
The 2013 NHL Draft was headlined by names like Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, and Seth Jones, and was described as one of the deepest drafts since 2003. Unfortunately it took several years for everyone to find out just how good the draft class of 2003 was, and the same will occur for the 2013 class.
Fortunately for the Blue Jackets, we went into the 2013 draft with three first round picks. Columbus had selections at #14, #19, and #27, and as you know, were unable to strike a deal with another team and opted to draft three quality players.
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Alexander Wennberg walks to the stage after being introduced as the number fourteen overall pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
With the 14th overall selection in the 2013 draft, the Blue Jackets selected Alexander Wennberg. A center from Sweden who has a great two way game and should turn out to be a solid player in the future.
With the 19th overall selection in the 2013 draft, the Blue Jackets selected Kerby Rychel. A big winger from the Windsor Spitfire of the Ontario Hockey League. Rychel led the Spitfires in scoring with 40 goals in the 2012-13 season.
With the 27th overall selection in the 2013 draft, the Blue Jackets selected Marko Dano. A center playing in the KHL for Bratislava. Dano has been described as a two-way forward, and has great hockey knowledge and intuition.
2013 Blue Jackets draft picks, rounds two through seven: Dillon Heatherington (2nd Round), Oliver Bjorkstrand (3rd Round), Nick Moutrey (4th Round), Markus Soberg (6th Round), and Peter Quenneville (7th Round).
Quick note, be sure to read Mike Majeski’s post…Ranking The 2013 Columbus Draft Selections.
Overall I think that the 2013 NHL Draft was a huge success for the Blue Jackets. Jarmo Kekalainen stuck with his strategy, didn’t make any bad deals, and drafted players that he thought would fit nicely into the Columbus line-up in the future.
2013 NHL Draft Grade: A