Arctic Ice Hockey’s 2013 NHL Mock Draft: Pick #4

Hey all! Welcome to another instalment of Arctic Ice Hockey's annual NHL Mock Draft.

Over the next thirty days, we will attempt to telepathically channel the minds of NHL General Managers as they complete their final rankings in preparation for the 2013 NHL Draft being held June 30, 2012 in Newark, NJ.

Without further adieu, we present our loyal readers with the fourth overall pick of Arctic Ice Hockey's 2013 Mock Draft.

David Poile: With the fourth overall selection in this years draft, the Nashville Predators are pleased to select…

Rankings: CSS (1 EUR), ISS (5), TSN (4), Hockey Prospectus (5)

The Skinny: In Aleksander Barkov, the Nashville Predators are getting a big, skilled centreman who could one day usurp David Legwand atop their depth chart while providing a talented running-mate for newly acquired prospect Filip Forsberg.

Hockey Prospectus:

"Barkov is one of the greatest NHL Entry Draft prospects to ever come out of Finland. He is a tremendously advanced player, with elite hockey sense. He regularly logged 20 minutes this season, which is rare for a September-born 17-year-old in Finland's top league. He has an incredible amount of patience, vision, and awareness. He can slow the game down and dictate the tempo, as well as be the focal point on the power play."

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