Didn’t hockey just end? Who cares! With the lockout pushing the end of the Stanley Cup Finals until the end of June, the offseason for the NHL was shortened. That also means a lot happened in a short period of time, including the Entry Draft. This year’s group was high on studs and filled with depth past the top five in round one.

Here is the handful of players who could be rookie impact players in the immediate future.

Nathan McKinnon, forward, Colorado Avalanche: The first pick in the 2013 draft should play with the big club, especially with how weak an offense Colorado possesses. New Avs coach Patrick Roy has gone on record to say he will play third line minutes. I feel that is a perfect place to start because McKinnon will between 13-15 minutes a game playing against good opposing players while not being expected to log big minutes against a team’s best. It would not surprise anyone if he makes the jump to top-six forward minutes some time in 2013-14. In 61 regular and postseason games for Halifax, McKinnon scored 108 points. Projected third liners Steve Downie and Jamie McGinn must love Roy for foretelling a line centered by the top pick.

Seth Jones, defenseman, Nashville Predators: If McKinnon was to slip to the 2^nd pick in the draft, it would have been because of Jones, or so people thought. The top d-man in the draft fell to Nashville at #4, and it could be a match made in heaven. Jones could play anywhere in the top six with the Preds right now, and could very well see top pairing minutes with Shea Weber. Jones’ offensive skills (56 points in 61 GP) could translate with Weber and should be utilized on the power play. If he comes out of the gates slow, then expect a complimentary role with the potential for production by 2014.

Jonathan Drouin, forward, Tampa Bay Lightning: Drouin could very well be the top rookie going into next season. His skill could land him on the top line with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. That is fantasy gold for owners. Those two would make you or me fantasy relevant. 140 points in 66 total games indicates he can play. Just ask former teammate Nathan McKinnon.

While Aleksander Barkov and Sean Monahan stand a good chance of making the Panthers and Flames rosters, respectively, their fantasy impact my be minimal at best. The two deserve your attention during the season.

The Fantasy Fix is bringing fantasy hockey fans its first hockey draft guide in 2013. The free guide (did he say free?) will be out some time in mid-August, and include rankings, sleepers/busts, and a special ‘Peaks and Valleys’ column.

Don’t forget to check out The Fantasy Fix’s 2013 Fantasy Football Draft Guide, out now and steal at $8.99. If you become a Front Office member for $14.99, it is included with your new subscription.

Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffrotull44, and check out his work with The Sports Bank (www.thesportsbank.net), where he covers the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Blackhawks, and entertainment.