So after extensive time spent studying the prospects and teams in the 2013 NHL draft, it’s time for the Sabres of Tomorrow 2013 NHL Mock Draft.

This year features an incredible crop of elite players at the top, and some great talents that can be found later in the first and second rounds. That’s great news for a team like the Buffalo Sabres. They own four picks in the first two rounds, and if they decide to move Ryan Miller and/or Thomas Vanek they’ll have more.

They could also end up with less by trading up in the draft. That might seemingly defeat the benefit of having multiple picks early in a deep draft. However, they also seem to be just outside of where they can land an elite prospect. So June 30th will certainly be an interesting day for the team.

1. Colorado Avalanche – Nathan MacKinnon, C, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

The talent will likely be too much to pass up for Colorado. They might need defense more than another center, but players with MacKinnon’s talent rarely come around. Head coach Patrick Roy and General Manager Joe Sakic have both indicated this will be the pick.

2. Florida Panthers – Seth Jones, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Florida has been defense-heavy in the first round over the last few years, so they’d LOVE if MacKinnon falls here. If he doesn’t, Jones will add to an impressive group of young talent in front of goalie prospect Jacob Markstrom.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning – Aleksander Barkov, C, Tappara (FIN)

While many have been locking in MacKinnon, Jones and Jonathan Drouin as their top three for months now, Tampa breaks that up. After buying out Vinny Lecavalier, they’ll need a big center. Barkov will be able to make an impact immediately.

4. Nashville Predators – Jonathan Drouin, LW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Nashville gets a dynamic playmaker to provide goal-scoring ability the team severely lacks. The team couldn’t find the back of the net when Patric Hornqvist stepped out of the lineup due to injury. Drouin hopes to make this happen in the NHL.

5. Carolina Hurricanes – Darnell Nurse, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

This may be a slight reach with all of the forwards on the board. However, Carolina really needs defense so they’ll have to consider Donovan McNabb’s nephew if they don’t move this pick.

6. Calgary Flames – Elias Lindholm, C, Brynas (SEL)

Calgary gets their pick of one of the three remaining elite forwards and go with the play-making Lindholm. He plays a very solid two-way game. He’s smart in every facet of the game and will be an integral part of Calgary’s rebuild.

7. Edmonton Oilers – Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)

They fall into the same spot that Colorado fell into: need defense but there’s just too much offense. I believe they’d take Nurse if he’s still here, but they go with a Russian to pair with Nail Yakupov with Nurse off the board.

8. Buffalo Sabres – Sean Monahan, C, Ottawa 67s (OHL)

Buffalo would be ecstatic if they landed Monahan at eight. The feeling lately has been that they might be forced to trade up to land an elite forward, but they get Monahan here. He’s a leader who plays a physical two-way game. Exactly what Buffalo will be looking for during their rebuild.

9. New Jersey Devils – Hunter Shinkaruk, LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Devils could use some help bolstering their forward ranks and nab a scorer here. Shinkaruk brings a distinct ability to put the puck in the net to whichever team takes him.

10. Dallas Stars – Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Turku (SM-liiga)

Dallas got Sergei Gonchar this offseason, but they’ll continue to add to the defense. Ristolainen could be ready to play right away and plays an all-around game from the blue line. Very consistent and smart with the puck.

11. Philadelphia Flyers – Nikita Zadorov, D, London Knights (OHL)

Philly could be moving this pick in their never-ending pursuit of greener pastures. If they’re staying here then Zadorov could bring an extremely physical defensive game. He won’t put a lot of points up, but he’ll prevent the opposition from doing so, as well.

12. Phoenix Coyotes – Anthony Mantha, LW, Val-d’Or (QMJHL)

Mantha led the QMJHL in goals last season, and he’s a big-bodied forward who has a nasty shot. He possesses the best one-time out of any forward in this draft and factors solidly into the future of the Seattle… I mean Phoenix Coyotoes.

13. Winnipeg Jets – Frederik Gauthier, C, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Gauthier stands tall at 6’5″ and projects similarly to Mantha. He would bring the Jets another big, young forward to work with as they already have Blake Wheeler.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets – Max Domi, C, London Knights (OHL)

Columbus just shocked everybody by nearly completing a run to the playoffs. That run was largely due to the play of Sergei Bobrovsky. If they can add some scoring in front of him then they’ll be in great shape going forward.

15. New York Islanders – Bo Horvat, C, London Knights (OHL)

Teammates Max Domi and Bo Horvat end up going on back-to-back picks and both end up on young teams that appear to be trending strongly upward. Horvat will bring a physical game that will help compliment the skill of John Tavares.

16. Buffalo Sabres – Ryan Hartman, RW, Plymouth Whalers (OHL)

Hartman, paired with the earlier pick of Monahan, will be one of the hardest working players in this draft. He may not possess the most skill, but he’s definitely a tough hockey player. Teams will hate playing against him and that’s precisely what Buffalo needs. He’ll be more skilled than pesky players like Patrick Kaleta and John Scott… A LOT more.

17. Ottawa Senators – Alex Wennberg, C, Djurgarden (SEL)

Ottawa will have to replace the game that Daniel Alfredsson brings after he retires following the upcoming season. Wennberg won’t have to do it alone, but he’ll be a part of it.

18. Detroit Red Wings – Josh Morrissey, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Detroit’s getting older at every position, but they’ll need to get more youth on defense. Morrissey’s game leans more to the offensive side that should allow him to play on the powerplay.

19. Columbus Blue Jackets – Ryan Pulock, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Pulock has the strongest shot out of any defender in this draft. He can be a leader from the blueline that plays on both ends and can be put on the ice for long periods of time.

20. San Jose Sharks – Curtis Lazar, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

San Jose has been in the mix of contending teams for a while, but they’ll have to start considering what their future will be as their stars get older. Lazar brings a strong scoring sense as well as the ability to shutdown opposing teams’ top players.

21. Toronto Maple Leafs – Kerby Rychel, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Rychel would give the Leafs a steady performer on the offensive side. He won’t make a lot of flashy plays, but he’ll always find himself in the right spot.

22. Calgary Flames – Zach Fucale, G, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

The Flames goalie situation will be one to watch as veteran Mikka Kiprusoff decided to retire. Fucale won’t provide an immediate solution, but he could become an elite netminder in a few years time.

23. Washington Capitals – Samuel Morin, D, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Morin is far from a complete prospect, but he’s got an amazing amount of potential. He could end up being one of the best defenseman in this draft or he could be a bust. Washington could take a chance here.

24. Vancouver Canucks – Adam Erne, LW, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

Vancouver had a similar prospect in Zack Kassian, but Kassian has struggled to score in the NHL. Erne looks like a more refined scorer with a slightly less physical game. All-around defines Erne.

Erne has been a popular pick for the Buffalo Sabres at 16 as he’s friends with Mikhail Grigorenko.

25. Montreal Canadiens – Madison Bowey, D, Kelowna (WHL)

Bowey has a solid offensive game and is an excellent skater, but he’ll need some work on his defensive capabilities. If he can find the right mix of defense with his already strong offense then he’ll be a steal this late in the first.

26. Anaheim Ducks – Ian McCoshen, D, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)

McCoshen possesses ideal size for an NHL defender and shows flashes of an all-around game. Unfortunately, he hasn’t proven to be consistent just yet. With the right coaching, he could turn into the perfect “special teamer” on the powerplay and penalty kill.

27. Columbus Blue Jackets – Shea Theodore, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

The Blue Jackets final of three first round pick will be a project with high upside. Theodore needs to add some bulk but could be elite once he does. He’s best when he has the puck on his stick looking for players to tip in his strong shot.

28. Calgary Flames – Robert Hagg, D, MODO (SEL)

Calgary, the other team with three first rounders, continues the run on defensemen who have a lot of potential but need some work before they get to the next level. He needs to become a more focused player on the ice before anything else can improve.

29. Dallas Stars – Nic Petan, C, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Petan has all the potential in the world as an offensive player. He’s shown elite scoring prowess in the WHL, but his size makes him slip a bit.

30. Chicago Blackhaws – Mirco Mueller, D, Everett (WHL)

Mueller looks like a steal here for the champions. He’s got a two-way game that has been called “safe” by a lot of people. He’s a smart player who will make sure he’s in the right spot. His teammates can count on him.