NHL Draft 2011: Gabriel Landeskog and the 10 Best Wingers in the Draft

By (Featured Columnist) on June 17, 2011

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LAKE PLACID, NY - AUGUST 03:  Gabriel Landeskog #12 of Team Sweden skates against Team USA at the USA Hockey National Evaluation Camp on August 3, 2010 in Lake Placid, New York. Team USA defeated Team Sweden 6-3.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Teams can never have enough wingers on their roster. The 2011 NHL Draft has some very intriguing prospects who are both left wings and right wings.

These 10 players come from all over the world hoping that they can one day be one of the greatest at their respective position.

The 2011 NHL Draft takes place on June 24.

No 10: Vladislav Namestnikov

TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19:  Vladislav Namestnikov #18 of Team Orr skates against Team Cherry in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 7-1. (Photo by Claus A
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Club: London

Position: RW

He is 6'0" 163 pounds.

This guy has speed to burn, flying up and down the ice, unlike many in the 2011 NHL Draft class.

At 163 pounds, he will need to gain strength, or he could be in for some tough times in his career.

His speed and vision make him a first round option.

He also has the ability to play center.

Namestnikov scored 68 points in 68 games in 2010-2011.

No 9: Brandon Saad

TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19:  Brandon Saad #22 of Team Orr skates against Team Cherry in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 7-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/G
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Club: Saginaw

Position: LW

He is 6'2" 200 pounds.

Saad is a power forward. He likes to engage in battles on the boards while generally winning the puck. He has the potential to be a great third-line grinder in the future.

In 59 games played, Saad scored 55 points in 2010-2011.

No 8: Joel Armia

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 31: Forward Joel Armia #20 of Finland during the 2011 IIHF World U20 Championship game between Slovakia and Finland on December 31, 2010 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Club: Assat (Finland)

Position: RW

He is 6'2" 183 pounds.

He has a nice scoring touch to go along with a blistering shot.

Defensively, Armia lacks in many areas.

In 48 games played, Armia scored 18 goals and 11 assists in 2010-2011.

No 7: Matt Puempel

TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19:  Matt Puempel #18 of Team Cherry waits for a puck against Team Orr in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 7-1. (Photo by Claus
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Club: Peterborough

Position: LW

He is 6'0" 190 pounds.

Puempel is a great hockey player. He doesn't mind sticking his nose in front of the net or on the boards. He will do the dirty work if need be.

His offensive game is solid, whether it be collecting assists or scoring goals. His speed and skill are above average.

He is solid offensively and defensively and would be a great option on the power play.

No 6: Tomas Jurco

TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19:  Tomas Jurco #13 of Team Cherry skates against Team Orr in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 7-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Ge
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Club: Saint John

Position: RW

He is 6'2", 175 pounds.

Puck handling is one of his biggest strengths. He is also solid around the cage, using his 6'2" frame.

He may be one of the most exciting hockey players to watch in the future if he pans out.

Consistency is a focal point for Jurco and whoever drafts him.

He has scored 107 points in two seasons with the Sea Dogs.

No 5: Nicklas Jensen

TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19:  Nicklas Jensen #17 of Team Cherry skates against Team Orr in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 7-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Club: Oshawa

Position: LW

He is 6'2", 187 pounds.

In 61 games played, Jensen scored 29 goals and 29 assists in 2010-2011.

No 4: Ty Rattie

TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19:  Ty Rattie #8 of Team Cherry poses for a Head Shot prior to skating in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Club: Portland

Position: RW

He is 6'0", 167 pounds.

Increasing his strength will be a must for Rattie, especially defensively.

His speed and explosive playmaking ability makes him a first round draft talent.

Rattie played in 67 games, scoring 28 goals and 51 assists in 2010-2011.

No 3: Sven Bartschi

TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19:  Sven Bartschi #25 of Team Orr poses for a Head Shot prior to skating in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Club: Portland

Position: LW

He is 5'10", 185 pounds.

Bartschi is an excellent winger, but he will need to add strength to his frame.

He scored 85 points for Portland in 2010-2011.

No 2: Jonathon Huberdeau

MISSISSAUGA, CANADA - MAY 20:  Jonathan Huberdeau #11 of the Saint John Sea Dogs skates against the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in the opening game of the 2011 Mastercard Memorial Cup at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Canada. The Sea Dogs defeate
Claus Andersen/Getty Images

Club: St. John Sea Dogs

Position: LW/C

He is 6'1", 170 pounds.

Huberdeau has solid hands and skill to go along with his scoring ability. He is a player that has continuously gotten better as he develops. Also, he is a great two-way hockey player.

His mold could be at the center position, but he has spent some time at the wing. Scouts love his overall game.

He scored 105 points in 2010-2011.

No 1: Gabriel Landeskog

LAKE PLACID, NY - AUGUST 05:  Gabriel Landeskog #12 of Team Sweden skates against Team Finland at the USA Hockey National Evaluation Camp on August 5, 2010 in Lake Placid, New York.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Club: Kitchener

Position: LW

Landeskog is 6'0" 207 pounds.

Scouts believe that he may be one of the most NHL ready players in the 2011 draft class. His two-way game is a need for every NHL team.

He is a leader and a competitor, and those are two traits that a future captain in the league would have.

Landeskog has scored 60 goals and 52 assists in his two seasons with Kitchener.

If Huberdeau wasn't projected as possibly a center, I would have him in the No.1 spot.

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