Biggest Steals From the 2013 NHL Draft – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

The 2013 NHL Entry Draft saw some fantastic players taken. Headlined by Nathan MacKinnon, who went first overall to the Colorado Avalanche, the draft saw some game-changing talent being chosen. Today, we will go through the best players taken from Rounds 2-7, thus making these players steals from the draft.

Round Two: Tyler Bertuzzi, Artturi Lehkonen, JT Compher

Drafted from the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Tyler Bertuzzi has established himself as a very solid NHL forward. Selected 58th overall by the Detroit Red Wings, Bertuzzi consistently produces between 20–30 goals and 40–50 points per season. His career best came in 2021-22, when he scored 30 goals and 62 points. Currently under contract with the Chicago Blackhawks at $5.5 million per season through 2027-28, Bertuzzi remains one of the more valuable middle-six forwards from his draft class — without a doubt a steal.

With a career high of 51 points in the 2022-23 season, Artturi Lehkonen has proven himself to be a reliable middle-six winger. The 55th overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens, Lehkonen played a crucial role in the Colorado Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup run, tallying 14 points in 20 playoff games. Last season, he hit a career-high 27 goals, further cementing his reputation as a player who steps up in big moments.

Another Stanley Cup champion with Colorado in 2022, JT Compher was originally selected 35th overall by the Buffalo Sabres. Coming out of the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP), Compher played three years at the University of Michigan before turning pro. Despite being drafted by Buffalo, he never played a game for them, as his rights were traded to Colorado in the Ryan O’Reilly deal. Now with the Detroit Red Wings, Compher is signed through 2027-28 on a $5.1 million contract, bringing versatility and reliability as a two-way center.

Honorable Mentions: Tristan Jarry, William Carrier, Zach Sanford

Round Three: Jake Guentzel, Carter Verhaeghe, Pavel Buchnevich

In his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jake Guentzel recorded 21 points in 24 playoff games en route to a Stanley Cup championship. Selected 77th overall from the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), Guentzel has been an offensive machine every single time he hits the ice. He set a career high in goals with 41 last season, while his…